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13,487 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Canby Mtn

Canby Mtn is a 13,487 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Canby - NW Ridge: 4 mi, 900 ft of gain, Class 2.

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

Canby Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,487 ft4,110 m
  • RouteCanby - NW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance4 mi900 ft gain
  • Time2 – 4 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Canby - NW Ridge

Canby Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Canby - NW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 4 miles round-trip with roughly 900 ft of gain from about 12,590 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. Carry extra water above treeline.

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 Canby Mtn

Peaks near Canby Mtn

  1. Stony Pass Peak

    Stony Pass Peak

    13,172 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Sheep Mtn

    Sheep Mtn

    13,304 ft · 1.9 mi away

  3. Galena Mtn

    Galena Mtn

    13,307 ft · 2.2 mi away

  4. UN 13076

    UN 13076

    13,076 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Canby Mtn?

Canby Mtn is 13,487 feet (4,110 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Canby Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,487 feet, Canby Mtn is the 214th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Canby Mtn?

The Canby - NW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 4 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Canby Mtn?

Most people take 2 – 4 hours round trip on the Canby - NW Ridge, covering 4 miles with 900 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Canby Mtn?

The Canby - NW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 900 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 Canby Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Canby Mtn reaches 13,487 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 Canby 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 Canby 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 Canby 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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