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13,833 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Jagged Mountain

Jagged Mountain is a 13,833 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the North Face: 22 mi, 7,000 ft of gain, Class 5.

Plan this climbView Colorado Centennials

Jagged Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation13,833 ft4,216 m
  • RouteNorth FaceClass 5
  • Distance22 mi7,000 ft gain
  • Time3 – 4 daysExtreme effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the North Face

Ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to Needleton, hike north along the Animas River to Noname Creek, and backpack up the drainage to a high camp in upper Noname Basin. The North Face route mixes Class 3 and 4 gullies with short low fifth class pitches; most parties bring a rope and rappel. Route-finding is intricate and the setting is remote. Widely called the hardest Centennial. Plan three to four days and book train seats early. Helmets, a rope, and a small rack are essential for the technical pitches.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 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
  • Helmet
  • Harness
  • Rope
  • Belay Device
  • Carabiners

What to watch for

  • Technical climbing
  • Steep exposure
  • Rockfall
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Remote location

Quests with Jagged Mountain

Peaks near Jagged Mountain

  1. Ten Peak

    Ten Peak

    13,494 ft · 0.3 mi away

  2. Leviathan Peak

    Leviathan Peak

    13,534 ft · 0.7 mi away

  3. Knife Point

    Knife Point

    13,270 ft · 0.8 mi away

  4. Six Peak

    Six Peak

    13,712 ft · 1.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Jagged Mountain?

Jagged Mountain is 13,833 feet (4,216 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Jagged Mountain rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,833 feet, Jagged Mountain is the 93rd highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to climb Jagged Mountain?

The North Face is Class 5, which means technical climbing with a rope and protection. Yak rates the overall effort extreme: 22 miles with 7,000 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Jagged Mountain?

Most climbers plan 3 – 4 days for the North Face, with at least one night on the mountain.

Is Jagged Mountain dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and tricky route-finding. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.

Do you need a rope to climb Jagged Mountain?

Most parties bring one. The North Face is Class 5, and the gear list includes a rope, harness and belay device.

Do you need to acclimatize to climb Jagged Mountain?

Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Jagged Mountain reaches 13,833 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

When is the best time to climb Jagged Mountain?

The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Jagged Mountain 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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