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13,662 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Carson Peak

Carson Peak is a 13,662 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Carson Peak West Ridge: 9 mi, 1,700 ft of gain, Class 1.

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Carson Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Carson Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,662 ft4,164 m
  • RouteCarson Peak West RidgeClass 1
  • Distance9 mi1,700 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Carson Peak West Ridge

Carson Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Carson Peak West Ridge, rated Class 1. Plan about 9 miles round-trip with roughly 1,700 ft of gain from about 12,370 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Stay on the trail, carry layers for cold wind, and turn around if weather builds. 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 (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

Quests with Carson Peak

Peaks near Carson Peak

  1. Bent Peak

    Bent Peak

    13,405 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. Tundra Top

    Tundra Top

    13,453 ft · 1.2 mi away

  3. Cataract Peak

    Cataract Peak

    13,541 ft · 1.4 mi away

  4. UN 13587

    UN 13587

    13,587 ft · 1.5 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Carson Peak?

Carson Peak is 13,662 feet (4,164 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Carson Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,662 feet, Carson Peak is the 113th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Carson Peak?

The Carson Peak West Ridge is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Carson Peak?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Carson Peak West Ridge, covering 9 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Carson Peak?

The Carson Peak West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 1,700 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 Carson Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Carson Peak reaches 13,662 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 Carson 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 Carson 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 Carson 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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