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13,404 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Cleveland Peak

Cleveland Peak is a 13,404 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Cleveland Peak North Ridge: 16 mi, 5,770 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Cleveland Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Cleveland Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,404 ft4,085 m
  • RouteCleveland Peak North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance16 mi5,770 ft gain
  • Time11 – 13 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Cleveland Peak North Ridge

Cleveland Peak sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Cleveland Peak North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 16.75 miles round-trip with roughly 5,770 ft of gain from about 10,680 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 (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 Cleveland Peak

Peaks near Cleveland Peak

  1. Tijeras Peak

    Tijeras Peak

    13,612 ft · 1.4 mi away

  2. Music Mtn

    Music Mtn

    13,365 ft · 2.3 mi away

  3. Pico Aislado

    Pico Aislado

    13,621 ft · 2.9 mi away

  4. UN 13028

    UN 13028

    13,028 ft · 3.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Cleveland Peak?

Cleveland Peak is 13,404 feet (4,085 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado.

How does Cleveland Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,404 feet, Cleveland Peak is the 266th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Cleveland Peak?

The Cleveland Peak North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 16 miles with 5,770 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Cleveland Peak?

Most people take 11 – 13 hours round trip on the Cleveland Peak North Ridge, covering 16 miles with 5,770 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Cleveland Peak?

The Cleveland Peak North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 16 miles with 5,770 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 Cleveland Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Cleveland Peak reaches 13,404 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 Cleveland Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 11 – 13 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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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