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- El Punto
13,319 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado
El Punto
El Punto is a 13,319 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the El Punto North Ridge: 6 mi, 3,269 ft of gain, Class 4.
El Punto at a glance
- Elevation13,319 ft4,059 m
- RouteEl Punto North RidgeClass 4
- Distance6 mi3,269 ft gain
- Time7 – 9 hrsVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado
Climbing the El Punto North Ridge
El Punto sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is El Punto North Ridge, rated Class 4. Plan about 6 miles round-trip with roughly 3,269 ft of gain from about 10,050 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. 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. Some figures are constructed from published elevation and trailhead; verify on climb13ers.com before relying on them. Bring a helmet; rope may be prudent for less experienced parties on the crux.
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
Harness
Rope
Belay Device
Carabiners
What to watch for
- Storms
- High altitude
- Loose rock
- Steep exposure
- Route-finding difficulty
Quests with El Punto
Colorado 13ersPeaks near El Punto
Frequently asked questions
How tall is El Punto?
El Punto is 13,319 feet (4,059 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as El Punto.
How does El Punto rank among the Colorado 13ers?
At 13,319 feet, El Punto is the 324th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.
How hard is it to climb El Punto?
The El Punto North Ridge is Class 4, which means exposed scrambling, where many parties bring a rope. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 6 miles with 3,269 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb El Punto?
Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the El Punto North Ridge, covering 6 miles with 3,269 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Is El Punto 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 rope to climb El Punto?
Most parties bring one. The El Punto North Ridge is Class 4, and the gear list includes a rope, harness and belay device.
Will you get altitude sickness on El Punto?
You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and El Punto reaches 13,319 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 El Punto?
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 El Punto?
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 El Punto 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