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13,059 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Houghton Mtn

Houghton Mtn is a 13,059 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Houghton Mountain West Ridge: 3 mi, 2,055 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Houghton Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Houghton Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,059 ft3,980 m
  • RouteHoughton Mountain West RidgeClass 2
  • Distance3 mi2,055 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Houghton Mountain West Ridge

Houghton Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Houghton Mountain West Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 3.65 miles round-trip with roughly 2,055 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. 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 Houghton Mtn

Peaks near Houghton Mtn

  1. Tuttle Mtn

    Tuttle Mtn

    13,208 ft · 1.5 mi away

  2. Seigal Mtn

    Seigal Mtn

    13,281 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Animas Forks Mtn

    Animas Forks Mtn

    13,740 ft · 1.7 mi away

  4. Engineer Mtn

    Engineer Mtn

    13,225 ft · 2.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Houghton Mtn?

Houghton Mtn is 13,059 feet (3,980 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Houghton Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,059 feet, Houghton Mtn is the 548th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Houghton Mtn?

The Houghton 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: 3 miles with 2,055 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Houghton Mtn?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Houghton Mountain West Ridge, covering 3 miles with 2,055 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Houghton Mtn?

The Houghton Mountain West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 3 miles with 2,055 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 Houghton Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Houghton Mtn reaches 13,059 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 Houghton 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 Houghton 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 Houghton 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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