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13,290 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Fools Pyramid

Fools Pyramid is a 13,290 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the UN13,278 SW Ridge: 21 mi, 5,720 ft of gain, Class 1.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Fools Pyramid in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Fools Pyramid at a glance

  • Elevation13,290 ft4,050 m
  • RouteUN13,278 SW RidgeClass 1
  • Distance21 mi5,720 ft gain
  • Time13 – 15 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the UN13,278 SW Ridge

Fools Pyramid sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is UN13,278 SW Ridge, rated Class 1. Plan about 21 miles round-trip with roughly 5,720 ft of gain from about 9,330 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. Stay on the trail, carry layers for cold wind, and turn around if weather builds. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 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

Quests with Fools Pyramid

Peaks near Fools Pyramid

  1. UN 13274

    UN 13274

    13,274 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Rio Grande Pyramid

    Rio Grande Pyramid

    13,825 ft · 1.1 mi away

  3. Ute Ridge

    Ute Ridge

    13,466 ft · 4.8 mi away

  4. UN 13318

    UN 13318

    13,318 ft · 6.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Fools Pyramid?

Fools Pyramid is 13,290 feet (4,050 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Fools Pyramid.

How does Fools Pyramid rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,290 feet, Fools Pyramid is the 355th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Fools Pyramid?

The UN13,278 SW Ridge is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 21 miles with 5,720 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Fools Pyramid?

Most people take 13 – 15 hours round trip on the UN13,278 SW Ridge, covering 21 miles with 5,720 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Fools Pyramid?

The UN13,278 SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 21 miles with 5,720 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 Fools Pyramid?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Fools Pyramid reaches 13,290 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 Fools Pyramid?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 13 – 15 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Fools Pyramid?

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 Fools Pyramid 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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