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13,323 ft · Elk Mountains, Colorado

Mount Daly

Mount Daly is a 13,323 ft peak in the Elk Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Mount Daly SW Ridge: 16 mi, 4,660 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Daly in the Elk Mountains, Colorado

Mount Daly at a glance

  • Elevation13,323 ft4,060 m
  • RouteMount Daly SW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance16 mi4,660 ft gain
  • Time10 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeElk MountainsColorado

Climbing the Mount Daly SW Ridge

Mount Daly sits in the Elk Mountains. The usual ascent is Mount Daly SW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 16.2 miles round-trip with roughly 4,660 ft of gain from about 9,400 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. 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 Mount Daly

Peaks near Mount Daly

  1. Clark Peak

    Clark Peak

    13,579 ft · 1.4 mi away

  2. Capitol Peak

    Capitol Peak

    14,137 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. UN 13067

    UN 13067

    13,067 ft · 1.8 mi away

  4. Siberia Peak

    Siberia Peak

    13,425 ft · 3.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Daly?

Mount Daly is 13,323 feet (4,060 m) tall. It is in the Elk Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Daly, Mt.

How does Mount Daly rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,323 feet, Mount Daly is the 320th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mount Daly?

The Mount Daly 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: 16 miles with 4,660 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Daly?

Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the Mount Daly SW Ridge, covering 16 miles with 4,660 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Daly?

The Mount Daly SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 16 miles with 4,660 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 Daly?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Daly reaches 13,323 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 Daly?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 10 – 12 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Mount Daly?

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 Daly 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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