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13,351 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Beattie Peak

Beattie Peak is a 13,351 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Beattie Peak SW Ridge: 9 mi, 4,445 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Beattie Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Beattie Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,351 ft4,069 m
  • RouteBeattie Peak SW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi4,445 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Beattie Peak SW Ridge

Beattie Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Beattie Peak SW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 9.15 miles round-trip with roughly 4,445 ft of gain from about 10,745 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. 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 Beattie Peak

Peaks near Beattie Peak

  1. UN 13,302 (near Beattie Peak)

    UN 13,302 (near Beattie Peak)

    13,302 ft · 0.0 mi away

  2. Vermilion Peak

    Vermilion Peak

    13,909 ft · 0.7 mi away

  3. Golden Horn

    Golden Horn

    13,789 ft · 1.0 mi away

  4. V 9

    V 9

    13,244 ft · 1.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Beattie Peak?

Beattie Peak is 13,351 feet (4,069 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Beattie Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,351 feet, Beattie Peak is the 300th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Beattie Peak?

The Beattie Peak SW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 4,445 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Beattie Peak?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Beattie Peak SW Ridge, covering 9 miles with 4,445 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Beattie Peak?

The Beattie Peak SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 4,445 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 Beattie Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Beattie Peak reaches 13,351 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 Beattie 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 Beattie 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 Beattie 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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