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13,391 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Chicago Peak

Chicago Peak is a 13,391 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Chicago Peak North Ridge: 4 mi, 1,540 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Chicago Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Chicago Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,391 ft4,081 m
  • RouteChicago Peak North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance4 mi1,540 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Chicago Peak North Ridge

Chicago Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Chicago Peak North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 4.4 miles round-trip with roughly 1,540 ft of gain from about 11,300 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 Chicago Peak

Peaks near Chicago Peak

  1. Tomboy Peak

    Tomboy Peak

    13,101 ft · 0.5 mi away

  2. T 7

    T 7

    13,360 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. Telluride Peak

    Telluride Peak

    13,514 ft · 1.3 mi away

  4. T 5

    T 5

    13,437 ft · 1.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Chicago Peak?

Chicago Peak is 13,391 feet (4,081 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Chicago Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,391 feet, Chicago Peak is the 272nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Chicago Peak?

The Chicago Peak North 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 1,540 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Chicago Peak?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Chicago Peak North Ridge, covering 4 miles with 1,540 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Chicago Peak?

The Chicago Peak North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 1,540 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 Chicago Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Chicago Peak reaches 13,391 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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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