Route Climbed: Iowa Gulch and Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: Winter 2001 and 10/26/03
The first time we got this one it was from the Iowa Gulch side and it was some of the worst weather I have ever been out in. We literally could not see more that 10 feet in front of us due to the snow and the wind from the north that was really cranked up. The only way we knew we were on the summit ridge was the shelters that we could barely make out in front of us. The second time was also VERY windy, probably the strongest sustained wind I have been in. For such a tame looking peak, Sherman has a way of making you think twice about summiting it.
Route Climbed: Four Mile Creek Date Climbed: 10.12.2003
Easy trail on this sunny day except very windy in particular on the summit; feared to be blown off. Never experienced such wind gusts before! Started off at the Leavick Site. My little car just goes that far. Did not encounter anyone on this hike!
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek (Leavick) Date Climbed: July 18th, 2003
I wasn't looking forward to coming back to this mountain after nearly reaching the summit last year and having to turn around. I eventually decided to come back to finish it off. I made the summit in a little over 2 hours and saw a group of kids from a summer camp on the summit. On the way back down I misplaced my trekking pole and made a valiant attempt to find it again once I realized my mistake but it was gone.
This was the first 14'er I ever climbed. I was 8 years old a the time. This is the mountain that started me on the path that has now become an obsession. This page brings back a lot of memories. Thanks.
Route Climbed: 4 Mile Creek trailhead Date Climbed: July 20, 2003
My only 14'er of the summer this year- not a good season for me- much too busy at work! Easy but fun, especially climbing with a group of friends (1st 14'er for several of them). #4 for Spencer the Mountain Dog.
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: Aug. 9, 2003
MOOOOOOOOOO. I have never felt more like a cow in a cattle drive than on this peak. Literally HUNDREDS of other climbers out that day, and no that's not an exaggeration. Overcrowding was the only down-side, though. Other than that, this peak gets a bad rap, in my book. I counted at least 12 14ers that were visible from the summit, and the narrow summit ridge was suprising and fun (albeit not really designed for the interstate traffic it was seeing.) I say do this one EARLY in the morning to enjoy it before the crowds get there.
Where are the hardest best climbs? Are they in CO or CA? Ask any local and you'll get the locals biased opinion. My wife and I had finished all (-Starlight) the 14ers in California, and were visiting friends in Colorado. I decided to take my wife Synne up the easiest 14er I hadn't climbed to confirm her suspicions that California's 14ers are tougher/better Climbing Sherman certainly did the trick. Especially since one can see Elbert and Massive across the valley. My 13th and easiest Colorado 14er. What a nice hike though.
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: July 27,2003
Pretty easy climb. This was my 6th 14er in as many days so I had planned for an "easy climb." Weather cooperated and this was indeed an easy walk up. Interesting mines along the way and a short glissade on the return route. It was about time to give my bod a break.
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 5, 2003
This was my second 14er. My first being Mt. Harvard, Sherman was a great boost to my ego. We reached the summit by 10:00, and hit 2 great glascades and were back to our cars early. It was a great climb.
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: May 14, 03
Climbed with Jennifer. Started out about 1 1/2 miles below Leavick townsite. Used snowshoes over 1/2 of the trip. We descended a gully between White Ridge and the 4wd road and regained the road below the Dauntless Mine. We were the only people on the mountain that day.
We started below the usual spot so we could gain 3000 ft. Lots of snow on the usual route with a big cornice guarding the ridge so we went up a much steeper and longer path north of the standard route. The wind was extremely strong on the top of the ridge. The view was spectacular. We stayed on the summit for 2 minutes and left. The old mines on this route are very interesting to look at.
Route Climbed: north ridge via Gemini's east ridge route Date Climbed: 2001
Started at the Little Sacramento Th and ascended Gemini's huge, broad, grassy east ridge to the summit of Gemini. Descended and hiked .7 miles over Sherman's huge grassy north ridge to the summit. Descended and hiked .5 mile on talus to Mt. Sheridan. On the way back skirted Gemini's summit to the west and hiked Dyer Peak(another centennial 13er). Watch out for the power lines! Descended straight down into Sacramento Creek Drainage and back to the car. A long day. Only people I saw were hiking Sherman, otherwise I think I went 9 hours with meeting another soal. Those grassy broad ridges are really cool places to visit.
Diggler - Mar 18, 2003 11:35 am Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2016
Route Climbed: South Ridge from Iowa Gulch Date Climbed: Summer 1996
The summit attempt with homeboy Uy ended in failure- parking shortly before the mine, we just walked up to, then past it. Going rather mindlessly (we hadn't an inkling of where the trail was), we encountered a headwall (the W-face- the steepest part of the mountain), and decided to retreat. Fortunately, this prompted me to buy Dawson's Guide (back then there was only one) at a bookstore in Leadville- great book! Returned a week or 2 later with a photo actually showing the location of the trail (still hard to find, esp. the trailhead- wouldn't have found it if it weren't for the book w/ photo), and cruised right up. Nice day & weather, I seem to remember.
Jan 3, '16- After hanging out with Z, his kids, & Brandon & his fam' for NYE (+ associated whisky & beer), there went new year's day climbing plans (started drive, but quickly figured out it wasn't happening). 1/2: Drove to the mountain from Parker, got an 11.17 start. Got above treeline(postholing with snowshoes at times to my knees), and knew there wasn't enough time... 2016, take 3 (1/3) Got to Limber Grove trailhead, starting from the Fourmile campground at 8.17. Made good initial time I'd broken to previous day's highpoint (~2 1/2 hours).
Terrain above (mixed sastrugi, postholing, & rocks) NOT fun! => decided to skirt BELOW White Ridge <- BAD idea!! More shitty terrain + side slope = brutal, soul-sucking, quad-destroying, demoralizing, & overall shitty.
Exhausted + (way) behind schedule when finally intersected ridge crest again. As REALLY didn't want to reverse terrain had just come from (or take different route below that would have gone back to ascent route), decided that best idea to descend to saddle between Sherman & White Ridge, summit, then descend via SW ridge -> mining road down.
Summited 15.22. Took a few pic's, enjoyed views in the cold, then took off (15.32). After ascertaining that SW ridge non-standard ascent/descent route (if at all since 1st snows had fallen), just followed footsteps/snowshoe tracks down to road- RIGHT decision!
LOOOOOOOONG walk back on road, but chill (literally: 15 degrees when reached truck). STOKED!!! Last CO 14er with minimum 3,000 ft. vertical gain, + 1st winter CO 14er! :D Back at truck at 19.05
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2002
Route Climbed: From the Leavick parking lot - easy route Date Climbed: June 16 2001
In many books Mount Sherman it rated the easiest fourteener in Colorado to hike, and I agree. I had only bagged one fourteener this year, but this time I felt like I have been doing this all year long. I started at the ghost town of Leavick a large well-preserved building is all that’s left of the town. Hiking up the road I passed a couple of modern houses all of which are on private property. After about one mile the road ends at the Dauntless Mine (12,230) an abandoned mine. A passenger car could actually get to this point. The trail steadily goes up to another abandoned mine named Hilltop Mine (12,840). After this point is where the climb starts and on the normal route there was a large snowfield with a cornice to traverse. The people in front of me were dodging the snowfield and going strait up the mountain. So I decided to follow. This accent was approximately 800 vertical feet in about a ¼ mile so it was steep and slow. Technically not challenging just steep. All in all this entire peak is for anyone. The scenery on the way up and the scenery at the summit were awesome. I felt that I was making progress in my conditioning with only couple of people passing me on the way up. I was ready to tackle a harder one next week.
bdewoody - Dec 3, 2003 6:43 pm
Route Climbed: Iowa Gulch Date Climbed: June 2002Really, really windy.
jeffgun - Nov 15, 2003 1:49 pm
Route Climbed: Iowa Gulch and Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: Winter 2001 and 10/26/03The first time we got this one it was from the Iowa Gulch side and it was some of the worst weather I have ever been out in. We literally could not see more that 10 feet in front of us due to the snow and the wind from the north that was really cranked up. The only way we knew we were on the summit ridge was the shelters that we could barely make out in front of us. The second time was also VERY windy, probably the strongest sustained wind I have been in. For such a tame looking peak, Sherman has a way of making you think twice about summiting it.
Helga - Oct 12, 2003 8:12 pm
Route Climbed: Four Mile Creek Date Climbed: 10.12.2003Easy trail on this sunny day except very windy in particular on the summit; feared to be blown off. Never experienced such wind gusts before! Started off at the Leavick Site. My little car just goes that far. Did not encounter anyone on this hike!
jrf - Oct 5, 2003 8:13 pm
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek (Leavick) Date Climbed: July 18th, 2003I wasn't looking forward to coming back to this mountain after nearly reaching the summit last year and having to turn around. I eventually decided to come back to finish it off. I made the summit in a little over 2 hours and saw a group of kids from a summer camp on the summit. On the way back down I misplaced my trekking pole and made a valiant attempt to find it again once I realized my mistake but it was gone.
vertx - Sep 28, 2003 9:27 pm
Route Climbed: Unknown Date Climbed: Summer 1976This was the first 14'er I ever climbed. I was 8 years old a the time. This is the mountain that started me on the path that has now become an obsession. This page brings back a lot of memories. Thanks.
eurobeer - Sep 2, 2003 9:38 am
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: September 1, 2003This was a very fun hike. The old mining buildings make this a great hike.
dp - Aug 31, 2003 12:13 am
Route Climbed: 4 Mile Creek trailhead Date Climbed: July 20, 2003My only 14'er of the summer this year- not a good season for me- much too busy at work! Easy but fun, especially climbing with a group of friends (1st 14'er for several of them). #4 for Spencer the Mountain Dog.
DaFreshman - Aug 10, 2003 7:50 pm
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: Aug. 9, 2003MOOOOOOOOOO. I have never felt more like a cow in a cattle drive than on this peak. Literally HUNDREDS of other climbers out that day, and no that's not an exaggeration. Overcrowding was the only down-side, though. Other than that, this peak gets a bad rap, in my book. I counted at least 12 14ers that were visible from the summit, and the narrow summit ridge was suprising and fun (albeit not really designed for the interstate traffic it was seeing.) I say do this one EARLY in the morning to enjoy it before the crowds get there.
darinchadwick - Aug 1, 2003 3:16 pm
Route Climbed: Iowa Gulch Date Climbed: July 2003Where are the hardest best climbs? Are they in CO or CA? Ask any local and you'll get the locals biased opinion. My wife and I had finished all (-Starlight) the 14ers in California, and were visiting friends in Colorado. I decided to take my wife Synne up the easiest 14er I hadn't climbed to confirm her suspicions that California's 14ers are tougher/better Climbing Sherman certainly did the trick. Especially since one can see Elbert and Massive across the valley. My 13th and easiest Colorado 14er. What a nice hike though.
kilimanjaro1 - Jul 29, 2003 8:18 pm
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: July 27,2003Pretty easy climb. This was my 6th 14er in as many days so I had planned for an "easy climb." Weather cooperated and this was indeed an easy walk up. Interesting mines along the way and a short glissade on the return route. It was about time to give my bod a break.
bernardhohman - Jul 29, 2003 1:04 am
Route Climbed: Sheridan Saddle from the East Date Climbed: August 8, 2002Another way too early day. At the summit very near sunrise and was all alone. Nice and peaceful, but way too early to get up and drive.
shannarae2k - Jul 7, 2003 6:36 am
Route Climbed: Standard Route Date Climbed: July 5, 2003This was my second 14er. My first being Mt. Harvard, Sherman was a great boost to my ego. We reached the summit by 10:00, and hit 2 great glascades and were back to our cars early. It was a great climb.
cruzit - Jun 20, 2003 8:04 pm
Route Climbed: Iowa Gulch Date Climbed: June 18, 2003Beautiful summit ridge and a wonderful climb with my favorite people.
Alan Ellis - Jun 19, 2003 4:45 pm
Route Climbed: Iowa Gulch Date Climbed: June 18, 2003The views from this peak were fantastic. Great climb on a perfect day.
skibum7732 - Jun 7, 2003 3:42 pm
Route Climbed: Fourmile Creek Date Climbed: May 14, 03Climbed with Jennifer. Started out about 1 1/2 miles below Leavick townsite. Used snowshoes over 1/2 of the trip. We descended a gully between White Ridge and the 4wd road and regained the road below the Dauntless Mine. We were the only people on the mountain that day.
granddeity - Jun 7, 2003 1:25 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: 06/03/2003We started below the usual spot so we could gain 3000 ft. Lots of snow on the usual route with a big cornice guarding the ridge so we went up a much steeper and longer path north of the standard route. The wind was extremely strong on the top of the ridge. The view was spectacular. We stayed on the summit for 2 minutes and left. The old mines on this route are very interesting to look at.
Kane - Jun 4, 2003 7:38 pm
Route Climbed: north ridge via Gemini's east ridge route Date Climbed: 2001Started at the Little Sacramento Th and ascended Gemini's huge, broad, grassy east ridge to the summit of Gemini. Descended and hiked .7 miles over Sherman's huge grassy north ridge to the summit. Descended and hiked .5 mile on talus to Mt. Sheridan. On the way back skirted Gemini's summit to the west and hiked Dyer Peak(another centennial 13er). Watch out for the power lines! Descended straight down into Sacramento Creek Drainage and back to the car. A long day. Only people I saw were hiking Sherman, otherwise I think I went 9 hours with meeting another soal. Those grassy broad ridges are really cool places to visit.
Diggler - Mar 18, 2003 11:35 am Date Climbed: Jan 3, 2016
Route Climbed: South Ridge from Iowa Gulch Date Climbed: Summer 1996The summit attempt with homeboy Uy ended in failure- parking shortly before the mine, we just walked up to, then past it. Going rather mindlessly (we hadn't an inkling of where the trail was), we encountered a headwall (the W-face- the steepest part of the mountain), and decided to retreat. Fortunately, this prompted me to buy Dawson's Guide (back then there was only one) at a bookstore in Leadville- great book! Returned a week or 2 later with a photo actually showing the location of the trail (still hard to find, esp. the trailhead- wouldn't have found it if it weren't for the book w/ photo), and cruised right up. Nice day & weather, I seem to remember.
Jan 3, '16- After hanging out with Z, his kids, & Brandon & his fam' for NYE (+ associated whisky & beer), there went new year's day climbing plans (started drive, but quickly figured out it wasn't happening). 1/2: Drove to the mountain from Parker, got an 11.17 start. Got above treeline(postholing with snowshoes at times to my knees), and knew there wasn't enough time... 2016, take 3 (1/3) Got to Limber Grove trailhead, starting from the Fourmile campground at 8.17. Made good initial time I'd broken to previous day's highpoint (~2 1/2 hours).
Terrain above (mixed sastrugi, postholing, & rocks) NOT fun! => decided to skirt BELOW White Ridge <- BAD idea!! More shitty terrain + side slope = brutal, soul-sucking, quad-destroying, demoralizing, & overall shitty.
Exhausted + (way) behind schedule when finally intersected ridge crest again. As REALLY didn't want to reverse terrain had just come from (or take different route below that would have gone back to ascent route), decided that best idea to descend to saddle between Sherman & White Ridge, summit, then descend via SW ridge -> mining road down.
Summited 15.22. Took a few pic's, enjoyed views in the cold, then took off (15.32). After ascertaining that SW ridge non-standard ascent/descent route (if at all since 1st snows had fallen), just followed footsteps/snowshoe tracks down to road- RIGHT decision!
LOOOOOOOONG walk back on road, but chill (literally: 15 degrees when reached truck). STOKED!!! Last CO 14er with minimum 3,000 ft. vertical gain, + 1st winter CO 14er! :D Back at truck at 19.05
big_g - Mar 3, 2003 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2002
Route Climbed: Fourmile CreekSurprisingly enjoyable ridge to the top.
Grant - Jan 16, 2003 1:08 pm
Route Climbed: From the Leavick parking lot - easy route Date Climbed: June 16 2001In many books Mount Sherman it rated the easiest fourteener in Colorado to hike, and I agree. I had only bagged one fourteener this year, but this time I felt like I have been doing this all year long. I started at the ghost town of Leavick a large well-preserved building is all that’s left of the town. Hiking up the road I passed a couple of modern houses all of which are on private property. After about one mile the road ends at the Dauntless Mine (12,230) an abandoned mine. A passenger car could actually get to this point. The trail steadily goes up to another abandoned mine named Hilltop Mine (12,840). After this point is where the climb starts and on the normal route there was a large snowfield with a cornice to traverse. The people in front of me were dodging the snowfield and going strait up the mountain. So I decided to follow. This accent was approximately 800 vertical feet in about a ¼ mile so it was steep and slow. Technically not challenging just steep. All in all this entire peak is for anyone. The scenery on the way up and the scenery at the summit were awesome. I felt that I was making progress in my conditioning with only couple of people passing me on the way up. I was ready to tackle a harder one next week.