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13,347 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Brown Mtn

Brown Mtn is a 13,347 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Brown Mountain Southwest Ridge: 3 mi, 1,705 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Brown Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Brown Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,347 ft4,068 m
  • RouteBrown Mountain Southwest RidgeClass 2
  • Distance3 mi1,705 ft gain
  • Time2 – 4 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Brown Mountain Southwest Ridge

Brown Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Brown Mountain Southwest Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 3 miles round-trip with roughly 1,705 ft of gain from about 11,635 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 (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

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Brown Mtn

Peaks near Brown Mtn

  1. Tuttle Mtn

    Tuttle Mtn

    13,208 ft · 1.7 mi away

  2. Hanson Peak

    Hanson Peak

    13,462 ft · 1.8 mi away

  3. Bonita Peak

    Bonita Peak

    13,286 ft · 1.8 mi away

  4. UN 13078

    UN 13078

    13,078 ft · 2.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Brown Mtn?

Brown Mtn is 13,347 feet (4,068 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Brown Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,347 feet, Brown Mtn is the 307th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Brown Mtn?

The Brown Mountain Southwest Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 3 miles with 1,705 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Brown Mtn?

Most people take 2 – 4 hours round trip on the Brown Mountain Southwest Ridge, covering 3 miles with 1,705 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Brown Mtn?

The Brown Mountain Southwest Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 3 miles with 1,705 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 Brown Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Brown Mtn reaches 13,347 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 Brown 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 Brown 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 Brown 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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