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13,534 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Leviathan Peak

Leviathan Peak is a 13,534 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Leviathan SW Ridge: 25 mi, 8,225 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Leviathan Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Leviathan Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,534 ft4,125 m
  • RouteLeviathan SW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance25 mi8,225 ft gain
  • Time17 – 19 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Leviathan SW Ridge

Leviathan Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Leviathan SW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 25.7 miles round-trip with roughly 8,225 ft of gain from about 11,800 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 (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

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Leviathan Peak

Peaks near Leviathan Peak

  1. Vallecito Mtn

    Vallecito Mtn

    13,440 ft · 0.5 mi away

  2. Six Peak

    Six Peak

    13,712 ft · 0.8 mi away

  3. Seven Peak

    Seven Peak

    13,682 ft · 1.0 mi away

  4. Ten Peak

    Ten Peak

    13,494 ft · 1.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Leviathan Peak?

Leviathan Peak is 13,534 feet (4,125 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Leviathan Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,534 feet, Leviathan Peak is the 183rd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Leviathan Peak?

The Leviathan SW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 25 miles with 8,225 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Leviathan Peak?

Most people take 17 – 19 hours round trip on the Leviathan SW Ridge, covering 25 miles with 8,225 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Leviathan Peak?

The Leviathan SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 25 miles with 8,225 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 Leviathan Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Leviathan Peak reaches 13,534 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 Leviathan Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 17 – 19 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Leviathan 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 Leviathan 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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