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13,838 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Jupiter Mountain

Jupiter Mountain is a 13,838 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Southwest Slopes: 17 mi, 5,630 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Jupiter Mountain in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Jupiter Mountain at a glance

  • Elevation13,838 ft4,217 m
  • RouteSouthwest SlopesClass 2
  • Distance17 mi5,630 ft gain
  • Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Southwest Slopes

Ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to the Needleton stop, cross the Animas River, and backpack about 6 miles up Needle Creek to Chicago Basin. From camp, climb Jupiter's southwest slopes on Class 2+ grass ledges and rock with some exposure near the summit. The basin hosts Windom, Sunlight, and Eolus, so many parties combine it with those 14ers. Plan two to three days and book train seats well ahead. Mountain goats are habituated to people. Hang food or use a canister in the basin.

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

What to watch for

  • Loose rock
  • Steep exposure
  • Remote location
  • Complex logistics
  • Storms

Quests with Jupiter Mountain

Peaks near Jupiter Mountain

  1. Windom Peak

    Windom Peak

    14,093 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Grizzly Peak

    Grizzly Peak

    13,700 ft · 0.6 mi away

  3. Sunlight Peak

    Sunlight Peak

    14,059 ft · 1.0 mi away

  4. Greylock Mtn

    Greylock Mtn

    13,575 ft · 1.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Jupiter Mountain?

Jupiter Mountain is 13,838 feet (4,217 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Jupiter Mountain rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,838 feet, Jupiter Mountain is the 89th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to hike Jupiter Mountain?

The Southwest Slopes is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 17 miles with 5,630 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Jupiter Mountain?

Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the Southwest Slopes, with at least one night on the mountain.

Can a beginner hike Jupiter Mountain?

The Southwest Slopes needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard trip: 17 miles with 5,630 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Do you need to acclimatize to climb Jupiter Mountain?

Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Jupiter Mountain reaches 13,838 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 hike Jupiter Mountain?

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 Jupiter 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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