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13,161 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Babcock Peak

Babcock Peak is a 13,161 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Babcock Peak South Couloir: 6 mi, 3,880 ft of gain, Class 3.

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Babcock Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Babcock Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,161 ft4,011 m
  • RouteBabcock Peak South CouloirClass 3
  • Distance6 mi3,880 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Babcock Peak South Couloir

Babcock Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Babcock Peak South Couloir, rated Class 3. Plan about 6.8 miles round-trip with roughly 3,880 ft of gain from about 9,300 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. 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. A helmet is wise on loose Class 3 sections.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 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

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Loose rock
  • Steep exposure
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Babcock Peak

Peaks near Babcock Peak

  1. Lavender Peak

    Lavender Peak

    13,237 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Hesperus Mtn

    Hesperus Mtn

    13,238 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. Overlook Point

    Overlook Point

    13,005 ft · 24.4 mi away

  4. West Needle Mtn

    West Needle Mtn

    13,060 ft · 24.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Babcock Peak?

Babcock Peak is 13,161 feet (4,011 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Babcock Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,161 feet, Babcock Peak is the 464th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to climb Babcock Peak?

The Babcock Peak South Couloir is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 3,880 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to climb Babcock Peak?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Babcock Peak South Couloir, covering 6 miles with 3,880 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Is Babcock 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 Babcock Peak?

It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the Babcock Peak South Couloir, so a helmet is on the gear list.

Will you get altitude sickness on Babcock Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Babcock Peak reaches 13,161 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 climbing Babcock 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 climb Babcock 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 Babcock 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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