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13,167 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Grand Turk

Grand Turk is a 13,167 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Grand Turk NW Ridge: 6 mi, 3,520 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Grand Turk in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Grand Turk at a glance

  • Elevation13,167 ft4,013 m
  • RouteGrand Turk NW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance6 mi3,520 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Grand Turk NW Ridge

Grand Turk sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Grand Turk NW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 6.6 miles round-trip with roughly 3,520 ft of gain from about 10,470 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 Grand Turk

Peaks near Grand Turk

  1. Sultan Mtn

    Sultan Mtn

    13,375 ft · 0.8 mi away

  2. Kendall No 2 BM

    Kendall No 2 BM

    13,073 ft · 3.2 mi away

  3. Kendall Mtn

    Kendall Mtn

    13,353 ft · 3.8 mi away

  4. Kendall Peak

    Kendall Peak

    13,455 ft · 4.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Grand Turk?

Grand Turk is 13,167 feet (4,013 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Grand Turk rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,167 feet, Grand Turk is the 456th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Grand Turk?

The Grand Turk NW 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 3,520 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Grand Turk?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Grand Turk NW Ridge, covering 6 miles with 3,520 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Grand Turk?

The Grand Turk NW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 3,520 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 Grand Turk?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Grand Turk reaches 13,167 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 Grand Turk?

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 Grand Turk?

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 Grand Turk 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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