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13,077 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Blackwall Mtn

Blackwall Mtn is a 13,077 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Blackwall Mountain South Slope: 10 mi, 2,195 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Blackwall Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Blackwall Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,077 ft3,985 m
  • RouteBlackwall Mountain South SlopeClass 2
  • Distance10 mi2,195 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Blackwall Mountain South Slope

Blackwall Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Blackwall Mountain South Slope, rated Class 2. Plan about 10 miles round-trip with roughly 2,195 ft of gain from about 12,415 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 Blackwall Mtn

Peaks near Blackwall Mtn

  1. Wildhorse Peak

    Wildhorse Peak

    13,271 ft · 1.3 mi away

  2. UN 13207

    UN 13207

    13,207 ft · 2.3 mi away

  3. UN 13094

    UN 13094

    13,094 ft · 3.0 mi away

  4. UN 13140

    UN 13140

    13,140 ft · 3.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Blackwall Mtn?

Blackwall Mtn is 13,077 feet (3,985 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Blackwall Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,077 feet, Blackwall Mtn is the 534th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Blackwall Mtn?

The Blackwall Mountain South Slope is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 10 miles with 2,195 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Blackwall Mtn?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Blackwall Mountain South Slope, covering 10 miles with 2,195 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Blackwall Mtn?

The Blackwall Mountain South Slope needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 10 miles with 2,195 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 Blackwall Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Blackwall Mtn reaches 13,077 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 Blackwall Mtn?

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 Blackwall 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 Blackwall 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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