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13,295 ft · Front Range, Colorado

Citadel, The

Citadel, The is a 13,295 ft peak in the Front Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Citadel SE Ridge: 6 mi, 2,700 ft of gain, Class 3.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Citadel, The in the Front Range, Colorado

Citadel, The at a glance

  • Elevation13,295 ft4,052 m
  • RouteThe Citadel SE RidgeClass 3
  • Distance6 mi2,700 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeFront RangeColorado

Climbing the Citadel SE Ridge

Citadel, The sits in the Front Range. The usual ascent is The Citadel SE Ridge, rated Class 3. Plan about 6.6 miles round-trip with roughly 2,700 ft of gain from about 10,630 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. A helmet is wise on loose Class 3 sections.

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
  • Helmet

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Loose rock
  • Steep exposure
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Citadel, The

Peaks near Citadel, The

  1. Hagar Mtn

    Hagar Mtn

    13,246 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Pettingell Peak

    Pettingell Peak

    13,559 ft · 1.0 mi away

  3. Golden Bear Peak

    Golden Bear Peak

    13,005 ft · 1.6 mi away

  4. Hassell Peak

    Hassell Peak

    13,223 ft · 2.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Citadel, The?

Citadel, The is 13,295 feet (4,052 m) tall. It is in the Front Range, Colorado. It is also known as Citadel, The.

How does Citadel, The rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,295 feet, Citadel, The is the 352nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to climb Citadel, The?

The Citadel SE Ridge is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 2,700 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to climb Citadel, The?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Citadel SE Ridge, covering 6 miles with 2,700 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Is Citadel, The dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and fast-changing weather. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.

Do you need a helmet for Citadel, The?

It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the Citadel SE Ridge, so a helmet is on the gear list.

Will you get altitude sickness on Citadel, The?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Citadel, The reaches 13,295 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 climbing Citadel, The?

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 climb Citadel, The?

The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Citadel, The 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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