The common trailhead is off the Four Mile Creek Access Road, also marked as Park County 18. To get there, make your way to Fairplay (about 80 miles SW of Denver on US 285). From the stoplight in town (the intersection of CO 9 and US 285), continue south for just over a mile and turn right onto the well-signed Four Mile Creek Access Road. The road is paved for about a mile and then becomes a well-maintained dirt road. At 10.5 miles from the turnoff is the old townsite of Leavick (you can't miss the old mining buildings on the right side of the road). This is where the road starts to get a little rougher and is the recommended parking place for 2wd vehicles. 4x4's and brave 2-wheelers can continue 2.5 miles beyond, to where the road is gated just below the remains of the Dauntless mining complex. There are a number of pullouts for parking along this stretch, but be very careful not to park on private property or someone's driveway (lots of cabins along this stretch).

I had no problems making to the road closure with my Blazer, and pulled over alongside the other 7 or 8 vehicles already there. From Denver, it was just about 2 hours of total driving time to get to the trailhead, and it was a cool but sunny late-summer morning. Shouldering my pack, I and my two trusty Labradors, Ben and Dex, walked past the closure gate and up towards the Dauntless complex.

From the description so far, it's not hard to conclude that this was once a very active mining area, and that's definitely the first impression you get driving in and starting the climb. From silver to zinc old mining claims are evident all over the mountain, from below treeline all the way up to near the summits of Sheridan and Sherman. However, that was back in the late 1800s, and the numerous abandoned mines are in a state of extreme deterioration. They look really cool, but stay out of them! Not only are these mines private property, but very unsafe, from rickety buildings to half-collapsed mineshafts.

The Dauntless complex is mere minutes from the road closure, and once you pass the ruins you'll get the first good view of Mount Sherman - it's off to the right, the gradually rising ridge is hard to miss. Sheridan is the summit to the left, standing just 49' under 14,000' The main route for Sherman follows the old mining road as it curves east (right) past Dauntless and then switchbacks up towards the Hilltop mine. The Hilltop mineshaft is obvious and impressive. The old mining road runs right next to one of the old mining cabins, and then peters out. The trail continues on the now rocky terrain to the saddle between Sheridan and Sherman, at 13,140'. From here you get good views of Leadville and Turquoise Lake beyond. The last 0.9 miles to Sherman's summit mostly follows the ridgeline. Ignore the many minor trails that have been blazed up the ridge - the main trail is just on the south (climber's right) of the ridgeline itself, and is well-cairned. The rest of the climb to the summit is straightforward and enjoyable. I was able to make the trip from the parking area to the summit in just about 90 minutes, moving at a moderate pace.

From Sherman's summit you get commanding views of the northern Sawatch range, including Massive, Elbert and LaPlata, plus an excellent view of Leadville on the north end of things. Although this was my second time on the summit, it was the first time I'd had a view, so I enjoyed the unique perspective for a few minutes. The day was clear enough to even make out the far-off Maroon Bells peeking over the north ridge of Mount Massive.

After 30 minutes of relaxing and chatting with the many other folks on the summit, it was time for the descent, which is really just as mellow as the ascent. My labs were having a great time, cavorting along the trail and greeting hikers like they were all old friends. By the time we made it back to the parking lot (barely an hour from the summit), I had two very tired dogs to hoist into the car!

Sherman rates high on the list of excellent "first ';teeners" - the access is excellent, the trail well defined, and it's not too long on distance or technical at all. As always, weather can be a factor, especially wind on the ridgeline. Some may look down on Sherman in the face of other, more challenging 14ers, but to me, it's a great climb anytime!