Felicia Brower
This year marks the Semiquincentennial of the United States (250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence) and the Sesquicentennial of Colorado (150th anniversary of statehood), a mouthful known as the Sesquisemiquincentennial (or the 250-150 for short).
To honor this incredible dual anniversary, Colorado Mountain Club, alongside several amazing partners, is coordinating Summit 2026: a historic, state-wide mission to summit every 14er in the Colorado simultaneously on August 1st (Colorado Day)!
Whether you are new to the outdoors or a seasoned mountaineer ready to bag another peak, here is everything you need to know about getting involved with Summit 2026.
The Basics
WHAT
On August 1st, every single 14,000-foot or higher peak will have a team standing on its summit, celebrating our state and country. Once our summit teams have safely descended, CMC will be throwing the ultimate Alpine After Party at CMC Basecamp in Golden, CO.
WHEN
Summit 2026 and the Alpine After Party take place on August 1st. There will be 250-150 events happening all year long. Check out our events calendar for the full list.
WHO
Hopefully you! Peak sign-ups are officially open on the CMC website. Because we love our mountains and want to manage trail impact responsibly, team sizes will be limited, and the most popular peaks will utilize a lottery system to assign teams. We have ranked the difficulty of the peaks and explained what the difficulty levels mean over on our blog.
The following peaks are available for public participation and/or the lottery system:
- Little Bear Peak (Difficult)
- Mt. Columbia - West Slopes (Challenging)
- Pyramid Peak (Difficult)
- Kit Carson Peak - North Ridge (Challenging)
- Mt. Antero - West Slope (Challenging)
- Missouri Mountain - Northwest Ridge (Challenging)
- Huron Peak via NW Slopes (Challenging)
- Culebra Peak (Challenging)
- Mount Sneffels - South Slopes (Difficult)
- Humboldt Peak - West Ridge (Challenging)
- Longs Peak - The Keyhole (Challenging)
- Mts. Belford and Oxford (Difficult)
- Mt. Wilson/El Diente - Kilpacker Approach (Difficult)
- Mt. Yale - Southwest Slopes (Challenging)
- Sunshine Peak via Redcloud Peak (Challenging)
Important Risk Management Note: Summiting a 14er is an incredible experience, but it requires serious physical preparation. High altitude, unpredictable weather, and rugged terrain demand respect. To ensure everyone gets home safely, all applicants will be evaluated and prior outdoor experience will be reviewed before peak assignments are finalized.
Are you an experienced hiker interesting in leading a trip? Email summit2026@cmc.org with your experience level and hiking history.
WHERE
We’ll be summiting peaks all across the state!
WHY
Why not! For more than a century, Colorado Mountain Club has been at the heart of Colorado's outdoor legacy, educating recreationists and protecting the wild spaces we all cherish. Founded in 1912 (36 years after Colorado achieved statehood!), Colorado Mountain Club has grown alongside our communities, making us deeply honored to anchor this historic 250-150 celebration. Commemorating these milestones lets us look back at our rich history while also honoring the timeless spirit of adventure and stewardship that defines our state. We couldn't be more thrilled to unite our community on the summits for this monumental moment.
JOIN US FOR THE ALPINE AFTER PARTY
This is the official celebration of the day's historic summit achievements and everything that makes Colorado special. We’re bringing together your favorite outdoor brands, local nonprofits, and community partners for an occasion to remember.
Here is a taste of what to expect:
- Giveaways & Prizes: Score some epic new gear to fuel your next adventure.
- Live Music & Games: Kick back, relax those hiking legs, and enjoy the festival vibes.
- Vendors & Community: Chat with the folks keeping our trails beautiful and try out the latest gear from top brands.
CELEBRATE ALL SUMMER LONG
If peak bagging isn’t your thing, you don’t have to miss out on the 250/150 fun! CMC is hosting activities all summer to help you connect with nature and your fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Join us for:
- Author Events: Hear from authors, historians, and environmentalists.
- Happy Hours: Swap stories, meet trail buddies, and toast to Colorado’s wild spaces.
- Community Hikes: Shorter, low-elevation outings perfect for getting outdoors.
SIGN UP TODAY
Don't let this historic summer pass you by. Space for the summit teams is limited, and you won't want to miss the summer lineup.
- Claim Your Peak: Choose from the list of available peaks or register for a summit lottery.
- Get Conditioned: Start hitting the trails early to prepare your lungs and legs for August 1st. Check our event listings on the calendar for ways to prep and hikes to practice to make sure you’re ready on the big day.
- RSVP for the Fun: Keep an eye on our event calendar for upcoming summer happy hours and to grab your ticket to the Alpine After Party!
Let’s make history together.
See you on the peaks and at the after party!