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- Arrow Peak
13,817 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Arrow Peak
Arrow Peak is a 13,817 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the East Ramp: 24 mi, 6,700 ft of gain, Class 3.
Arrow Peak at a glance
- Elevation13,817 ft4,211 m
- RouteEast RampClass 3
- Distance24 mi6,700 ft gain
- Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado
Climbing the East Ramp
From Silverton, drive south on US 550 to the Molas Pass trailhead, then descend the Colorado Trail to the Animas River at Elk Park (or ride the Durango and Silverton train to Elk Park). Hike Elk Creek and the steep climbers' trail into Vestal Basin to camp. The East Ramp is Class 3 slabby rock with exposure that is slick when wet. Plan two to three days and save energy for the long climb back to Molas Pass. Vestal and Trinity share the basin. Helmets are recommended, and basin camps fill on weekends.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (55–75 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
Helmet
What to watch for
- Steep exposure
- Loose rock
- Route-finding difficulty
- Remote location
- Storms
Quests with Arrow Peak
Colorado Centennials
Colorado 13ersPeaks near Arrow Peak
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Arrow Peak?
Arrow Peak is 13,817 feet (4,211 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.
How does Arrow Peak rank among the Colorado Centennials?
At 13,817 feet, Arrow Peak is the 98th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.
How hard is it to climb Arrow Peak?
The East Ramp is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 24 miles with 6,700 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Arrow Peak?
Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the East Ramp, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Arrow Peak dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and fast-changing weather. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.
Do you need a helmet for Arrow Peak?
It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the East Ramp, so a helmet is on the gear list.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Arrow Peak?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Arrow Peak reaches 13,817 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to climb Arrow Peak?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Arrow 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