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13,311 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Aztec Mtn

Aztec Mtn is a 13,311 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Aztec Mtn. West Ridge: 24 mi, 3,675 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Aztec Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Aztec Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,311 ft4,057 m
  • RouteAztec Mtn. West RidgeClass 2
  • Distance24 mi3,675 ft gain
  • Time14 – 16 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Aztec Mtn. West Ridge

Aztec Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Aztec Mtn. West Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 24.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,675 ft of gain from about 11,290 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 (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

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Aztec Mtn

Peaks near Aztec Mtn

  1. Jupiter Mountain

    Jupiter Mountain

    13,838 ft · 1.9 mi away

  2. Mount Valois

    Mount Valois

    13,173 ft · 2.1 mi away

  3. McCauley Peak

    McCauley Peak

    13,555 ft · 2.1 mi away

  4. Mount Eolus

    Mount Eolus

    14,090 ft · 2.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Aztec Mtn?

Aztec Mtn is 13,311 feet (4,057 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Aztec Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,311 feet, Aztec Mtn is the 335th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Aztec Mtn?

The Aztec Mtn. West Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 24 miles with 3,675 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Aztec Mtn?

Most people take 14 – 16 hours round trip on the Aztec Mtn. West Ridge, covering 24 miles with 3,675 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Aztec Mtn?

The Aztec Mtn. West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 24 miles with 3,675 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 Aztec Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Aztec Mtn reaches 13,311 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 Aztec Mtn?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 14 – 16 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Aztec Mtn?

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 Aztec Mtn 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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