DENVER — Summer officially arrived on Thursday, as defined by the June solstice, which means fourteener season is fast approaching. For some hardy hikers, it has already begun.

Inexperienced peak baggers would be wise to wait a while before venturing out. Patchy snow is being reported on many trails where microspikes or crampons are recommended. Other reports on popular hiking sites suggest bringing waterproof shoes due to wet and muddy conditions.

On Longs Peak, for example, the trail is nearly snow-free up to the Boulderfield at 12,800 feet, according to a conditions report posted this week on the Rocky Mountain National Park website. Beyond that, though, only experienced climbers should venture.

It won’t be long, though, before that magnificent mountain and Colorado’s other 14,000-foot peaks are good to go. That means now is the time to start researching routes, parking and camping rules, and the regulations and restrictions governing some peaks.

Before we get into that, here are some good sources of information for newbies: The Colorado Mountain Club has a useful blog post called, “So you want to hike a 14er?” There’s also a 43-minute CMC YouTube video that provides a good introduction. Most experienced fourteener folks prefer 14ers.com to other sites for information about current conditions and climbing routes because some sites have been known to lead hikers astray.

There are several reliable guidebooks, including The Colorado Fourteeners: the Best Routes, published by the CMC, and Colorado’s Fourteeners: From Hikes to Climbs, by Gerry Roach. The CMC also publishes a pocket guidebook called The Colorado 14ers: Pack Guide.

Decalibron Loop

Now let’s get down to specific rules and restrictions, starting with the popular Decalibron Loop near the town of Alma, which takes in mounts Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln and Bross. It has been open on and off in recent years due to landowner liability concerns, but it will be open this summer — with the signing of a liability waiver (see below).

Much has happened in the past year that affects the rights and responsibilities of hikers there. Last fall, landowner John Reiber sold the trail to the summit of Mount Democrat to the Conservation Fund, and it later became public land after it was conveyed to the U.S. Forest Service. Reiber still owns Mount Lincoln and parts of Mount Bross, for which he allows public access to hikers who sign an electronic waiver. The summit of Bross remains closed because of safety hazards, but there is a bypass just west of the summit so the loop is doable.

In February, the state legislature passed a bill that strengthens liability protections for landowners in order to encourage public recreational access on private land. That bill was supported by Reiber, other landowners and a coalition of outdoor recreation non-profits. It doesn’t go into effect until Aug. 8, though, so Reiber is still asking people to sign the waiver to hike on his land. And, he may continue to do so after the liability shield takes effect.

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