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13,158 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Montezuma Peak

Montezuma Peak is a 13,158 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Montezuma Peak West Slope: 6 mi, 3,640 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Montezuma Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Montezuma Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,158 ft4,010 m
  • RouteMontezuma Peak West SlopeClass 2
  • Distance6 mi3,640 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Montezuma Peak West Slope

Montezuma Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Montezuma Peak West Slope, rated Class 2. Plan about 6.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,640 ft of gain from about 10,950 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 Montezuma Peak

Peaks near Montezuma Peak

  1. Unicorn, The

    Unicorn, The

    13,030 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Summit Peak

    Summit Peak

    13,304 ft · 1.6 mi away

  3. Conejos Peak

    Conejos Peak

    13,176 ft · 8.8 mi away

  4. Bennett Peak

    Bennett Peak

    13,206 ft · 16.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Montezuma Peak?

Montezuma Peak is 13,158 feet (4,010 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Montezuma Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,158 feet, Montezuma Peak is the 466th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Montezuma Peak?

The Montezuma Peak West Slope is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 3,640 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Montezuma Peak?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Montezuma Peak West Slope, covering 6 miles with 3,640 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Montezuma Peak?

The Montezuma Peak West Slope needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 3,640 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 Montezuma Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Montezuma Peak reaches 13,158 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 Montezuma 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 Montezuma 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 Montezuma 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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