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13,385 ft · Elk Mountains, Colorado

Italian Mtn

Italian Mtn is a 13,385 ft peak in the Elk Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Italian Mountain South Ridge: 4 mi, 2,595 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Italian Mtn in the Elk Mountains, Colorado

Italian Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,385 ft4,079 m
  • RouteItalian Mountain South RidgeClass 2
  • Distance4 mi2,595 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeElk MountainsColorado

Climbing the Italian Mountain South Ridge

Italian Mtn sits in the Elk Mountains. The usual ascent is Italian Mountain South Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 4 miles round-trip with roughly 2,595 ft of gain from about 10,780 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. 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 Italian Mtn

Peaks near Italian Mtn

  1. Star Peak

    Star Peak

    13,527 ft · 3.5 mi away

  2. Taylor Peak

    Taylor Peak

    13,438 ft · 3.6 mi away

  3. Pearl Mtn

    Pearl Mtn

    13,379 ft · 5.0 mi away

  4. Oyster Peak

    Oyster Peak

    13,316 ft · 5.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Italian Mtn?

Italian Mtn is 13,385 feet (4,079 m) tall. It is in the Elk Mountains, Colorado.

How does Italian Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,385 feet, Italian Mtn is the 277th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Italian Mtn?

The Italian Mountain South 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 2,595 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Italian Mtn?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Italian Mountain South Ridge, covering 4 miles with 2,595 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Italian Mtn?

The Italian Mountain South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 2,595 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 Italian Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Italian Mtn reaches 13,385 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 Italian 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 Italian 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 Italian 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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