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13,454 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Horn Peak

Horn Peak is a 13,454 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Horn Peak East Ridge: 8 mi, 4,330 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Horn Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Horn Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,454 ft4,100 m
  • RouteHorn Peak East RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi4,330 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Horn Peak East Ridge

Horn Peak sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Horn Peak East Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.2 miles round-trip with roughly 4,330 ft of gain from about 9,120 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 (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 Horn Peak

Peaks near Horn Peak

  1. Little Horn Peak

    Little Horn Peak

    13,154 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Fluted Peak

    Fluted Peak

    13,576 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. Comanche Peak

    Comanche Peak

    13,277 ft · 1.6 mi away

  4. Spring Mtn

    Spring Mtn

    13,248 ft · 2.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Horn Peak?

Horn Peak is 13,454 feet (4,100 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado.

How does Horn Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,454 feet, Horn Peak is the 236th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Horn Peak?

The Horn Peak East Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 4,330 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Horn Peak?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Horn Peak East Ridge, covering 8 miles with 4,330 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Horn Peak?

The Horn Peak East Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 4,330 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 Horn Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Horn Peak reaches 13,454 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 Horn 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 Horn 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 Horn 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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