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13,005 ft · Front Range, Colorado

Golden Bear Peak

Golden Bear Peak is a 13,005 ft peak in the Front Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Golden Bear West Flank: 6 mi, 1,870 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Golden Bear Peak in the Front Range, Colorado

Golden Bear Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,005 ft3,963 m
  • RouteGolden Bear West FlankClass 2
  • Distance6 mi1,870 ft gain
  • Time4 – 6 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeFront RangeColorado

Climbing the Golden Bear West Flank

Golden Bear Peak sits in the Front Range. The usual ascent is Golden Bear West Flank, rated Class 2. Plan about 6.5 miles round-trip with roughly 1,870 ft of gain from about 11,140 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 (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 Golden Bear Peak

Peaks near Golden Bear Peak

  1. Hagar Mtn

    Hagar Mtn

    13,246 ft · 1.1 mi away

  2. Citadel, The

    Citadel, The

    13,295 ft · 1.6 mi away

  3. Pettingell Peak

    Pettingell Peak

    13,559 ft · 2.6 mi away

  4. Mount Sniktau

    Mount Sniktau

    13,239 ft · 3.5 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Golden Bear Peak?

Golden Bear Peak is 13,005 feet (3,963 m) tall. It is in the Front Range, Colorado. It is also known as Golden Bear Peak.

How does Golden Bear Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,005 feet, Golden Bear Peak is the 577th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Golden Bear Peak?

The Golden Bear West Flank 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 1,870 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Golden Bear Peak?

Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the Golden Bear West Flank, covering 6 miles with 1,870 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Golden Bear Peak?

The Golden Bear West Flank needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 1,870 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 Golden Bear Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Golden Bear Peak reaches 13,005 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 Golden Bear 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 Golden Bear 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 Golden Bear 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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