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13,916 ft · Sawatch Range, Colorado

Emerald Peak

Emerald Peak is a 13,916 ft peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. The standard route is the South Southwest Ridge: 8 mi, 3,515 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado Centennials
Emerald Peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado

Emerald Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,916 ft4,241 m
  • RouteSouth Southwest RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi3,515 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Sep
  • RangeSawatch RangeColorado

Climbing the South Southwest Ridge

From US 24 between Leadville and Buena Vista, take CR 390 west to Vicksburg, then the 4WD road past Rockdale toward Clohesy Lake. Reaching the upper trailhead needs a capable 4WD or very high clearance vehicle; otherwise start near Rockdale and wade Clear Creek, adding about 6 miles. Climb Class 2 slopes to the ridge, loop over unranked Iowa Peak, and follow the south southwest ridge to Emerald. Missouri Mountain is a short side trip. Start early for storms. Expect to share the Clear Creek roads with jeeps and ATVs on weekends.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (30–40 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

  • Loose rock
  • Stream crossing
  • Storms
  • High winds

Quests with Emerald Peak

Peaks near Emerald Peak

  1. Missouri Mountain

    Missouri Mountain

    14,067 ft · 1.3 mi away

  2. Magdalene Mtn

    Magdalene Mtn

    13,780 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Pear Peak

    Pear Peak

    13,459 ft · 1.7 mi away

  4. UN 13513

    UN 13513

    13,513 ft · 2.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Emerald Peak?

Emerald Peak is 13,916 feet (4,241 m) tall. It is in the Sawatch Range, Colorado.

How does Emerald Peak rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,916 feet, Emerald Peak is the 68th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to hike Emerald Peak?

The South Southwest Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 3,515 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Emerald Peak?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the South Southwest Ridge, covering 8 miles with 3,515 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Emerald Peak?

The South Southwest Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 3,515 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 Emerald Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Emerald Peak reaches 13,916 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 Emerald 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 Emerald Peak?

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

Climb Emerald 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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