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13,307 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Galena Mtn

Galena Mtn is a 13,307 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Galena Mtn. South Ridge: 6 mi, 2,060 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Galena Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Galena Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,307 ft4,055 m
  • RouteGalena Mtn. South RidgeClass 2
  • Distance6 mi2,060 ft gain
  • Time4 – 6 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Galena Mtn. South Ridge

Galena Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Galena Mtn. South Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 6 miles round-trip with roughly 2,060 ft of gain from about 12,590 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. 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 Galena Mtn

Peaks near Galena Mtn

  1. UN 13076

    UN 13076

    13,076 ft · 1.8 mi away

  2. Canby Mtn

    Canby Mtn

    13,487 ft · 2.2 mi away

  3. Stony Pass Peak

    Stony Pass Peak

    13,172 ft · 2.6 mi away

  4. Little Giant Peak

    Little Giant Peak

    13,417 ft · 3.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Galena Mtn?

Galena Mtn is 13,307 feet (4,055 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Galena Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,307 feet, Galena Mtn is the 342nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Galena Mtn?

The Galena Mtn. South Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 2,060 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Galena Mtn?

Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the Galena Mtn. South Ridge, covering 6 miles with 2,060 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Galena Mtn?

The Galena Mtn. South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 2,060 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 Galena Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Galena Mtn reaches 13,307 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 Galena Mtn?

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 Galena Mtn?

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 Galena Mtn 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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