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13,597 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Cottonwood Peak

Cottonwood Peak is a 13,597 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Cottonwood Peak East Face: 4 mi, 2,300 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Cottonwood Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Cottonwood Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,597 ft4,144 m
  • RouteCottonwood Peak East FaceClass 2
  • Distance4 mi2,300 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Cottonwood Peak East Face

Cottonwood Peak sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Cottonwood Peak East Face, rated Class 2. Plan about 4.4 miles round-trip with roughly 2,300 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 Cottonwood Peak

Peaks near Cottonwood Peak

  1. Eagle Peak

    Eagle Peak

    13,215 ft · 2.0 mi away

  2. Lakes Peak

    Lakes Peak

    13,384 ft · 2.1 mi away

  3. Electric Peak

    Electric Peak

    13,618 ft · 3.7 mi away

  4. De Anza Peak

    De Anza Peak

    13,391 ft · 5.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Cottonwood Peak?

Cottonwood Peak is 13,597 feet (4,144 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado.

How does Cottonwood Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,597 feet, Cottonwood Peak is the 137th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Cottonwood Peak?

The Cottonwood Peak East Face 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 2,300 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Cottonwood Peak?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Cottonwood Peak East Face, covering 4 miles with 2,300 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Cottonwood Peak?

The Cottonwood Peak East Face needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 2,300 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 Cottonwood Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Cottonwood Peak reaches 13,597 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 Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood 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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