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13,417 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Little Giant Peak

Little Giant Peak is a 13,417 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Little Giant by Dives Basin: 3 mi, 3,050 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Little Giant Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Little Giant Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,417 ft4,089 m
  • RouteLittle Giant by Dives BasinClass 2
  • Distance3 mi3,050 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Little Giant by Dives Basin

Little Giant Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Little Giant by Dives Basin, rated Class 2. Plan about 3.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,050 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 (25–35 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 Little Giant Peak

Peaks near Little Giant Peak

  1. Kendall Peak

    Kendall Peak

    13,455 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. Kendall Mtn

    Kendall Mtn

    13,353 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Mountaineer Peak

    Mountaineer Peak

    13,441 ft · 1.8 mi away

  4. Kendall No 2 BM

    Kendall No 2 BM

    13,073 ft · 2.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Little Giant Peak?

Little Giant Peak is 13,417 feet (4,089 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Little Giant Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,417 feet, Little Giant Peak is the 259th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Little Giant Peak?

The Little Giant by Dives Basin is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 3 miles with 3,050 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Little Giant Peak?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Little Giant by Dives Basin, covering 3 miles with 3,050 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Little Giant Peak?

The Little Giant by Dives Basin needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 3 miles with 3,050 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 Little Giant Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Little Giant Peak reaches 13,417 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 Little Giant 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 Little Giant 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 Little Giant 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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