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13,692 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Cirque Mtn

Cirque Mtn is a 13,692 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Cirque Mtn. West Ridge: 4 mi, 2,385 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Cirque Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Cirque Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,692 ft4,173 m
  • RouteCirque Mtn. West RidgeClass 2
  • Distance4 mi2,385 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Cirque Mtn. West Ridge

Cirque Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Cirque Mtn. West Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 4.5 miles round-trip with roughly 2,385 ft of gain from about 11,380 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 Cirque Mtn

Peaks near Cirque Mtn

  1. Teakettle Mtn

    Teakettle Mtn

    13,815 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Mount Sneffels

    Mount Sneffels

    14,150 ft · 1.1 mi away

  3. Mount Ridgway

    Mount Ridgway

    13,481 ft · 1.2 mi away

  4. Potosi Peak

    Potosi Peak

    13,793 ft · 1.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Cirque Mtn?

Cirque Mtn is 13,692 feet (4,173 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Cirque Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,692 feet, Cirque Mtn is the 99th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Cirque Mtn?

The Cirque Mtn. West 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 2,385 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Cirque Mtn?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Cirque Mtn. West Ridge, covering 4 miles with 2,385 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Cirque Mtn?

The Cirque Mtn. West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 2,385 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 Cirque Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Cirque Mtn reaches 13,692 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 Cirque 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 Cirque 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 Cirque 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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