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13,778 ft · Sawatch Range, Colorado

Garfield Peak

Garfield Peak is a 13,778 ft peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Garfield Pk - West Flank/No. Ridge: 9 mi, 3,220 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Garfield Peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado

Garfield Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,778 ft4,199 m
  • RouteGarfield Pk - West Flank/No. RidgeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi3,220 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSawatch RangeColorado

Climbing the Garfield Pk - West Flank/No. Ridge

Garfield Peak sits in the Sawatch Range. The usual ascent is Garfield Pk - West Flank/No. Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 9.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,220 ft of gain from about 10,570 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. 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 Garfield Peak

Peaks near Garfield Peak

  1. Grizzly Peak

    Grizzly Peak

    13,997 ft · 0.8 mi away

  2. Middle Mtn

    Middle Mtn

    13,108 ft · 1.6 mi away

  3. Truro Peak

    Truro Peak

    13,298 ft · 2.2 mi away

  4. Anderson Peak

    Anderson Peak

    13,637 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Garfield Peak?

Garfield Peak is 13,778 feet (4,199 m) tall. It is in the Sawatch Range, Colorado.

How does Garfield Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,778 feet, Garfield Peak is the 65th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Garfield Peak?

The Garfield Pk - West Flank/No. Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 3,220 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Garfield Peak?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Garfield Pk - West Flank/No. Ridge, covering 9 miles with 3,220 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Garfield Peak?

The Garfield Pk - West Flank/No. Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 3,220 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 Garfield Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Garfield Peak reaches 13,778 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 Garfield 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 Garfield 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 Garfield 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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