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13,238 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Hesperus Mtn

Hesperus Mtn is a 13,238 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Hesperus Mountain West Ridge: 4 mi, 2,480 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Hesperus Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Hesperus Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,238 ft4,034 m
  • RouteHesperus Mountain West RidgeClass 2
  • Distance4 mi2,480 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Hesperus Mountain West Ridge

Hesperus Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Hesperus Mountain West Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 4.4 miles round-trip with roughly 2,480 ft of gain from about 10,935 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 (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 Hesperus Mtn

Peaks near Hesperus Mtn

  1. Lavender Peak

    Lavender Peak

    13,237 ft · 0.5 mi away

  2. Babcock Peak

    Babcock Peak

    13,161 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. Overlook Point

    Overlook Point

    13,005 ft · 24.6 mi away

  4. West Needle Mtn

    West Needle Mtn

    13,060 ft · 24.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Hesperus Mtn?

Hesperus Mtn is 13,238 feet (4,034 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Hesperus Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,238 feet, Hesperus Mtn is the 398th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Hesperus Mtn?

The Hesperus Mountain West Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 4 miles with 2,480 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Hesperus Mtn?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Hesperus Mountain West Ridge, covering 4 miles with 2,480 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Hesperus Mtn?

The Hesperus Mountain West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 2,480 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 Hesperus Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Hesperus Mtn reaches 13,238 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 Hesperus Mtn?

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 Hesperus Mtn?

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 Hesperus Mtn 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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