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13,462 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Hanson Peak

Hanson Peak is a 13,462 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Hanson Peak South Ridge & East Slopes: 6 mi, 1,900 ft of gain, Class 1.

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Hanson Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Hanson Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,462 ft4,103 m
  • RouteHanson Peak South Ridge & East SlopesClass 1
  • Distance6 mi1,900 ft gain
  • Time4 – 6 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Hanson Peak South Ridge & East Slopes

Hanson Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Hanson Peak South Ridge & East Slopes, rated Class 1. Plan about 6 miles round-trip with roughly 1,900 ft of gain from about 11,590 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Stay on the trail, carry layers for cold wind, and turn around if weather builds. 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

Quests with Hanson Peak

Peaks near Hanson Peak

  1. UN 13078

    UN 13078

    13,078 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. Bonita Peak

    Bonita Peak

    13,286 ft · 1.1 mi away

  3. Brown Mtn

    Brown Mtn

    13,347 ft · 1.8 mi away

  4. Tuttle Mtn

    Tuttle Mtn

    13,208 ft · 1.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Hanson Peak?

Hanson Peak is 13,462 feet (4,103 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Hanson Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,462 feet, Hanson Peak is the 229th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Hanson Peak?

The Hanson Peak South Ridge & East Slopes is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 1,900 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Hanson Peak?

Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the Hanson Peak South Ridge & East Slopes, covering 6 miles with 1,900 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Hanson Peak?

The Hanson Peak South Ridge & East Slopes needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 1,900 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 Hanson Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Hanson Peak reaches 13,462 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 Hanson 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 Hanson 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 Hanson 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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