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13,789 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Golden Horn

Golden Horn is a 13,789 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Golden Horn SW Ridge: 9 mi, 4,450 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Golden Horn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Golden Horn at a glance

  • Elevation13,789 ft4,202 m
  • RouteGolden Horn SW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi4,450 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Golden Horn SW Ridge

Golden Horn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Golden Horn SW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 9.15 miles round-trip with roughly 4,450 ft of gain from about 10,745 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 (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 Golden Horn

Peaks near Golden Horn

  1. Vermilion Peak

    Vermilion Peak

    13,909 ft · 0.4 mi away

  2. Pilot Knob

    Pilot Knob

    13,746 ft · 0.5 mi away

  3. Beattie Peak

    Beattie Peak

    13,351 ft · 1.0 mi away

  4. UN 13,302 (near Beattie Peak)

    UN 13,302 (near Beattie Peak)

    13,302 ft · 1.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Golden Horn?

Golden Horn is 13,789 feet (4,202 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Golden Horn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,789 feet, Golden Horn is the 59th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Golden Horn?

The Golden Horn SW 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 4,450 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Golden Horn?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Golden Horn SW Ridge, covering 9 miles with 4,450 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Golden Horn?

The Golden Horn SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 4,450 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 Horn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Golden Horn reaches 13,789 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 Horn?

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 Horn?

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 Horn 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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