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13,541 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Cataract Peak

Cataract Peak is a 13,541 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Cataract Peak South Ridge: 10 mi, 1,900 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Cataract Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Cataract Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,541 ft4,127 m
  • RouteCataract Peak South RidgeClass 2
  • Distance10 mi1,900 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Cataract Peak South Ridge

Cataract Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Cataract Peak South Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 10 miles round-trip with roughly 1,900 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. 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 Cataract Peak

Peaks near Cataract Peak

  1. Tundra Top

    Tundra Top

    13,453 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Carson Peak

    Carson Peak

    13,662 ft · 1.4 mi away

  3. Quarter Peak

    Quarter Peak

    13,681 ft · 2.1 mi away

  4. UN 13573

    UN 13573

    13,573 ft · 2.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Cataract Peak?

Cataract Peak is 13,541 feet (4,127 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Cataract Peak.

How does Cataract Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,541 feet, Cataract Peak is the 177th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Cataract Peak?

The Cataract Peak South Ridge 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 1,900 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Cataract Peak?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Cataract Peak South Ridge, covering 10 miles with 1,900 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Cataract Peak?

The Cataract Peak South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 10 miles with 1,900 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 Cataract Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Cataract Peak reaches 13,541 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 Cataract 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 Cataract 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 Cataract 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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