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13,176 ft · Sawatch Range, Colorado

Fancy Peak

Fancy Peak is a 13,176 ft peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Fancy Peak South Ridge: 8 mi, 3,170 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Fancy Peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado

Fancy Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,176 ft4,016 m
  • RouteFancy Peak South RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi3,170 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSawatch RangeColorado

Climbing the Fancy Peak South Ridge

Fancy Peak sits in the Sawatch Range. The usual ascent is Fancy Peak South Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.25 miles round-trip with roughly 3,170 ft of gain from about 10,025 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. 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 (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

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Fancy Peak

Peaks near Fancy Peak

  1. Savage Peak

    Savage Peak

    13,135 ft · 2.2 mi away

  2. UN 13002

    UN 13002

    13,002 ft · 2.3 mi away

  3. Whitney Peak

    Whitney Peak

    13,286 ft · 2.4 mi away

  4. UN 13786

    UN 13786

    13,786 ft · 2.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Fancy Peak?

Fancy Peak is 13,176 feet (4,016 m) tall. It is in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. It is also known as Fancy Peak.

How does Fancy Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,176 feet, Fancy Peak is the 444th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Fancy Peak?

The Fancy Peak South 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 3,170 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Fancy Peak?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Fancy Peak South Ridge, covering 8 miles with 3,170 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Fancy Peak?

The Fancy Peak South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 3,170 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 Fancy Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Fancy Peak reaches 13,176 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 Fancy 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 Fancy 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 Fancy 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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