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13,303 ft · Mosquito Range, Colorado

East Buffalo Peak

East Buffalo Peak is a 13,303 ft peak in the Mosquito Range, Colorado. The standard route is the East Buffalo South Ridge: 4 mi, 1,900 ft of gain, Class 2.

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East Buffalo Peak in the Mosquito Range, Colorado

East Buffalo Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,303 ft4,054 m
  • RouteEast Buffalo South RidgeClass 2
  • Distance4 mi1,900 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeMosquito RangeColorado

Climbing the East Buffalo South Ridge

East Buffalo Peak sits in the Mosquito Range. The usual ascent is East Buffalo South Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 4.4 miles round-trip with roughly 1,900 ft of gain from about 11,400 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 East Buffalo Peak

Peaks near East Buffalo Peak

  1. West Buffalo Peak

    West Buffalo Peak

    13,330 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Mount Columbia

    Mount Columbia

    14,073 ft · 11.6 mi away

  3. Mount Harvard

    Mount Harvard

    14,420 ft · 12.2 mi away

  4. Mount Oxford

    Mount Oxford

    14,160 ft · 12.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is East Buffalo Peak?

East Buffalo Peak is 13,303 feet (4,054 m) tall. It is in the Mosquito Range, Colorado.

How does East Buffalo Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,303 feet, East Buffalo Peak is the 348th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike East Buffalo Peak?

The East Buffalo South 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 1,900 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike East Buffalo Peak?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the East Buffalo South Ridge, covering 4 miles with 1,900 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike East Buffalo Peak?

The East Buffalo South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 1,900 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 East Buffalo Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and East Buffalo Peak reaches 13,303 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 East Buffalo 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 East Buffalo 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 East Buffalo Peak with Yak

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