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13,937 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Adams

Mount Adams is a 13,937 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the East-Southeast Face: 12 mi, 4,810 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado Centennials
Mount Adams in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Adams at a glance

  • Elevation13,937 ft4,247 m
  • RouteEast-Southeast FaceClass 2
  • Distance12 mi4,810 ft gain
  • Time9 – 11 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the East-Southeast Face

From Westcliffe, drive south on Highway 69, turn onto CR 119 and then CR 130 (Horn Road), and follow it past Horn Creek Ranch to the Horn Peak Trailhead; passenger cars are fine. Hike the Horn Creek trail into the upper basin, then climb the steep east-southeast face on Class 2 talus and grass with a few harder moves near the top. Route-finding matters on the upper face and loose rock is common. It is a long day with big gain. Sangre storms arrive fast, so start early. Camping is possible near the trailhead.

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

  • Loose rock
  • Steep exposure
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Storms
  • High winds

Quests with Mount Adams

Peaks near Mount Adams

  1. UN 13,543 (near Mt. Adams)

    UN 13,543 (near Mt. Adams)

    13,543 ft · 0.0 mi away

  2. UN 13159

    UN 13159

    13,159 ft · 0.7 mi away

  3. UN 13552

    UN 13552

    13,552 ft · 0.8 mi away

  4. Fluted Peak

    Fluted Peak

    13,576 ft · 1.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Adams?

Mount Adams is 13,937 feet (4,247 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado.

How does Mount Adams rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,937 feet, Mount Adams is the 65th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to hike Mount Adams?

The East-Southeast Face is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 12 miles with 4,810 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Adams?

Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the East-Southeast Face, covering 12 miles with 4,810 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Adams?

The East-Southeast Face needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 12 miles with 4,810 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 Mount Adams?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Adams reaches 13,937 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 Mount Adams?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 9 – 11 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Mount Adams?

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 Mount Adams 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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