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13,019 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Chief Mtn

Chief Mtn is a 13,019 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Chief Mountain SE Ridge: 35 mi, 5,295 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Chief Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Chief Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,019 ft3,968 m
  • RouteChief Mountain SE RidgeClass 2
  • Distance35 mi5,295 ft gain
  • Time21 – 23 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Chief Mountain SE Ridge

Chief Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Chief Mountain SE Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 35.85 miles round-trip with roughly 5,295 ft of gain from about 9,330 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. 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 (55–75 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 Chief Mtn

Peaks near Chief Mtn

  1. UN 13274

    UN 13274

    13,274 ft · 9.7 mi away

  2. Fools Pyramid

    Fools Pyramid

    13,290 ft · 9.7 mi away

  3. Rio Grande Pyramid

    Rio Grande Pyramid

    13,825 ft · 10.5 mi away

  4. South River Peak

    South River Peak

    13,156 ft · 13.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Chief Mtn?

Chief Mtn is 13,019 feet (3,968 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Chief Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,019 feet, Chief Mtn is the 571st highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Chief Mtn?

The Chief Mountain SE Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 35 miles with 5,295 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Chief Mtn?

Most people take 21 – 23 hours round trip on the Chief Mountain SE Ridge, covering 35 miles with 5,295 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Chief Mtn?

The Chief Mountain SE Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 35 miles with 5,295 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 Chief Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Chief Mtn reaches 13,019 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 Chief Mtn?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 21 – 23 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Chief 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 Chief 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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