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13,145 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Jackass Point

Jackass Point is a 13,145 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Jackass Point South Ridge: 8 mi, 4,160 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Jackass Point in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Jackass Point at a glance

  • Elevation13,145 ft4,006 m
  • RouteJackass Point South RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi4,160 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Jackass Point South Ridge

Jackass Point sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Jackass Point South Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.4 miles round-trip with roughly 4,160 ft of gain from about 10,380 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 (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 Jackass Point

Peaks near Jackass Point

  1. La Junta Peak

    La Junta Peak

    13,475 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Wasatch Mtn

    Wasatch Mtn

    13,560 ft · 1.1 mi away

  3. Bridal Peak

    Bridal Peak

    13,514 ft · 2.3 mi away

  4. T 10

    T 10

    13,484 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Jackass Point?

Jackass Point is 13,145 feet (4,006 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Jackass Point.

How does Jackass Point rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,145 feet, Jackass Point is the 476th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Jackass Point?

The Jackass Point South 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 4,160 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Jackass Point?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Jackass Point South Ridge, covering 8 miles with 4,160 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Jackass Point?

The Jackass Point South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 4,160 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 Jackass Point?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Jackass Point reaches 13,145 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 Jackass Point?

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 Jackass Point?

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 Jackass Point 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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