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13,455 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Kendall Peak

Kendall Peak is a 13,455 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Kendall Pk. from Spencer Basin: 9 mi, 4,550 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Kendall Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Kendall Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,455 ft4,101 m
  • RouteKendall Pk. from Spencer BasinClass 2
  • Distance9 mi4,550 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Kendall Pk. from Spencer Basin

Kendall Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Kendall Pk. from Spencer Basin, rated Class 2. Plan about 9.5 miles round-trip with roughly 4,550 ft of gain from about 10,460 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. 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 (35–55 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 Kendall Peak

Peaks near Kendall Peak

  1. Kendall Mtn

    Kendall Mtn

    13,353 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Mountaineer Peak

    Mountaineer Peak

    13,441 ft · 1.2 mi away

  3. Little Giant Peak

    Little Giant Peak

    13,417 ft · 1.2 mi away

  4. Kendall No 2 BM

    Kendall No 2 BM

    13,073 ft · 1.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Kendall Peak?

Kendall Peak is 13,455 feet (4,101 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Kendall Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,455 feet, Kendall Peak is the 234th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Kendall Peak?

The Kendall Pk. from Spencer Basin is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 4,550 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Kendall Peak?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Kendall Pk. from Spencer Basin, covering 9 miles with 4,550 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Kendall Peak?

The Kendall Pk. from Spencer Basin needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 4,550 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 Kendall Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Kendall Peak reaches 13,455 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 Kendall Peak?

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 Kendall Peak?

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 Kendall Peak 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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