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13,347 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Herard

Mount Herard is a 13,347 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Mt. Herard North Ridge: 11 mi, 4,320 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Herard in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Herard at a glance

  • Elevation13,347 ft4,068 m
  • RouteMt. Herard North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance11 mi4,320 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Mt. Herard North Ridge

Mount Herard sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Mt. Herard North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 11.1 miles round-trip with roughly 4,320 ft of gain from about 9,685 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 (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

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Mount Herard

Peaks near Mount Herard

  1. Medano Peak

    Medano Peak

    13,146 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Cleveland Peak

    Cleveland Peak

    13,404 ft · 4.7 mi away

  3. Tijeras Peak

    Tijeras Peak

    13,612 ft · 5.8 mi away

  4. Music Mtn

    Music Mtn

    13,365 ft · 6.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Herard?

Mount Herard is 13,347 feet (4,068 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. It is also known as Herard, Mt.

How does Mount Herard rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,347 feet, Mount Herard is the 307th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mount Herard?

The Mt. Herard North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 11 miles with 4,320 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Herard?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Mt. Herard North Ridge, covering 11 miles with 4,320 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Herard?

The Mt. Herard North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 11 miles with 4,320 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 Herard?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Herard reaches 13,347 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 Herard?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 8 – 10 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Mount Herard?

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 Herard 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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