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13,059 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Alto Peak

Alto Peak is a 13,059 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the "Alto Peak" North Ridge: 8 mi, 4,265 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Alto Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Alto Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,059 ft3,980 m
  • Route"Alto Peak" North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi4,265 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the "Alto Peak" North Ridge

Alto Peak sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is "Alto Peak" North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.3 miles round-trip with roughly 4,265 ft of gain from about 11,970 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Watch for loose rock, route-finding on talus, and brief exposed steps where the terrain steepens. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (30–40 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Alto Peak

Peaks near Alto Peak

  1. Rito Alto Peak

    Rito Alto Peak

    13,801 ft · 1.8 mi away

  2. Hermit Peak

    Hermit Peak

    13,311 ft · 1.9 mi away

  3. Pyramid Mtn

    Pyramid Mtn

    13,054 ft · 2.6 mi away

  4. Peak of the Clouds

    Peak of the Clouds

    13,495 ft · 2.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Alto Peak?

Alto Peak is 13,059 feet (3,980 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. It is also known as Alto Peak.

How does Alto Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,059 feet, Alto Peak is the 548th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Alto Peak?

The "Alto Peak" North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 4,265 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Alto Peak?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the "Alto Peak" North Ridge, covering 8 miles with 4,265 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Alto Peak?

The "Alto Peak" North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 4,265 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on Alto Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Alto Peak reaches 13,059 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

What time should you start hiking Alto Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon.

When is the best time to hike Alto Peak?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Alto Peak with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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