Climbing

If mere hiking, riding, or pedaling in the mountains doesn't get your heart pumping, then climbing surely will. The Rockies' classic "fourteeners," such as Pikes Peak and Mount Evans in Colorado (conveniently near Denver), give climbers the choice of walk-ups, scrambles, or technical climbs, and even though the well-known routes can get crowded, there are still a ton of undiscovered places where peace and challenges can be found. Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains are blessed with a long climbing season (it starts in March), and cater to all skill levels. As befits their name, these peaks can be deceptive and thwart even the surest route-finder, so take care.

For a seriously forbidding climb, do not bypass The Diamond. Lying completely above 13,000 feet, it looms on the East Face of Longs Peak in Colorado and yields free climbs and nailing routes. Do not for a second doubt the severity of The Diamond's challenges, though. Climbing here is a true battle and not to be taken lightly.