Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: Rating Every Peak I’ve Summitted

Baldy Mountain

Colfax, New Mexico | 13, 200 ft. above sea level

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Physical Difficulty : 7/10

Mental Difficulty : 4/10

Summit Views : 9/10

Baldy Mountain. Alongside Tooth of Time, considered one of the most impressive peaks to summit in New Mexico. This is one of my most proud hikes, as well as my closest swipe with death. This hike is extremely long, but I found it easier to power through mentally because the peak is not hidden, but just enough out of sight. The shale at the peak is rather sharp, but worth it for the historic views at the top. Climbing this mountain made me feel like I was standing up there with the 1,000’s of Boy Scouts, gold miners, and frontiersmen who had come before me. The sweeping views are absolutely gorgeous, and I would highly recommend this hike to those who are able-bodied.

Cole Mountain

Amherst County, Virginia | 3, 923 ft. above sea level

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Physical Difficulty : 3/10

Mental Difficulty : 2/10

Summit Views : 10/10

Cole Mountain is a fantastic starter hike, especially to break into the world of backpacking. This was a great hike to do with friends who were just starting backpacking for the first time. The trail is wide and well kept, with a very manageable gain in elevation. There is low mental strain, especially with the beautiful scenery all along the hike. I do love the dramatic view payoff at the end of this hike, considering that it’s not all that physically taxing. For those who are used to more vigorous hiking experiences, this hike may not be as satisfying, but it is great for photo opportunities.

The Notch

Colfax, New Mexico | 7,240 ft. above sea level

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Physical Difficulty : 6/10

Mental Difficulty : 2/10

Summit Views : 8/10

The Notch at Abreau camp honestly comes as one of my most highly recommended hikes. The hike is physically strenuous, but it feels much easier due to its continuous and shaded nature. There are plenty of trees to add shade. Arguably more importantly, hikers go straight up, as opposed to dipping up and down along the side of the mountain. It’s a simple switchback that opens dramatically onto the open views of the beautiful mountain ranges around. The dramatic rock formations at the peak also make for fantastic photo opportunities.

Sharp Top

Bedford, Virginia | 3, 875 ft. above sea level

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Physical Difficulty : 6/10

Mental Difficulty : 3/10

Summit Views : 10/10

For the Virginia natives here, I cannot recommend Sharp Top enough. It is essentially a Step-Climber made of rock and with insane views at the top. I enjoy this hike because it’s simple: you go up. The trail is well-maintained and marked out, with pretty views to keep you satiated along the way. The peak is completely invisible the entire hike, making the mental strain very low. It is also not a very long hike, especially if you average a 3 mph hiking pace. Arriving at the top of this mountain is absolutely breathtaking. It is a grand entrance sort of view, with panoramic scenery of the mountains of Virginia. The top is also built up with various stone structures to give hikers a better view. This is one of my absolute favorite hikes. It’s much more attainable than I think many people say, and the views are absolutely worth it.

Lover’s Leap

Colfax, New Mexico | 293 ft. elevation gain

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Physical Difficulty : 2/10

Mental Difficulty : 2/10

Summit Views : 7/10

Lover’s Leap’s biggest claim to fame isn’t its impressive views, but its backstory. According to storytelling tradition, a young man proposed to his beloved, and she rejected him. Heartbroken, he leaped from the top of Lover’s Leap to his death below. But, she realized she had made a terrible mistake. She rushed to the leap to reunite with him, but realized she was too late. Heartbroken, she also leaped off, and their doomed love is immortalized in the peak’s name. This is a very easy hike, easy in and out. There is a minor elevation gain or route obstacles. But, lover’s leap does have an absolutely gorgeous view, especially at sunrise.

Tooth of Time

Colfax, New Mexico | 9,003 ft. above sea level

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Physical Difficulty : 8/10

Mental Difficulty : 10/10

Summit Views : 10/10

This hike is hands down one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done in my life. It is the only time, while hiking, that I have genuinely considered sitting down and calling in for backup to come save me. The physical difficulty of this hike is compounded by the mental. Coming across the ridgeline, hikers run into multiple “false” peaks. In other words, every mile, it really looks like you’re almost there. News flash: you are not. This is especially crushing when you arrive at the base of the actual peak and realize that it is practically straight up. Another aspect of this difficulty was that we opted to hit the peak with full packs on, which made it significantly more difficult to boulder over the car-sized rocks leading up to the peak. The peak itself is likely one of the most gorgeous at Philmont Scout Ranch, looking over the impressive plains. Overall, this hike will make you feel accomplished, as well as highly mortal.

Interested? Read More Here: Tooth of Time – Wikipedia

Old Rag

Madison County, Virginia | 3, 284 ft. above sea level

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Physical Difficulty : 8/10

Mental Difficulty : 5/10

Summit Views : 9/10

Old Rag is one of my most proud hikes, largely because I did not die. I know many people do not find Old Rag to be all that hard of a hike, but for me it was fairly brutal. This hike requires scouring over all kinds of terrain, from basic hiking to crawling to hand over hand to bouldering. It is also a very long hike, which really creates muscle fatigue and instability. Staying balanced after 8 miles on the trail is no easy feat. That said, the views are quite gorgeous. The summit is not as dramatic as other mountains, but it has plenty of fun rock structures to crawl all over. Overall, I would recommend this hike, especially to more experienced hikers who want something they can sink their teeth into.