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13,337 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Maxwell

Mount Maxwell is a 13,337 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Mt. Maxwell East Ridge: 2 mi, 1,735 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Maxwell in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Maxwell at a glance

  • Elevation13,337 ft4,065 m
  • RouteMt. Maxwell East RidgeClass 2
  • Distance2 mi1,735 ft gain
  • Time2 – 4 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Mt. Maxwell East Ridge

Mount Maxwell sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Mt. Maxwell East Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 2.6 miles round-trip with roughly 1,735 ft of gain from about 11,730 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 (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 Mount Maxwell

Peaks near Mount Maxwell

  1. Cuatro Peak

    Cuatro Peak

    13,492 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Mariquita Peak

    Mariquita Peak

    13,398 ft · 0.8 mi away

  3. De Anza Peak

    De Anza Peak

    13,322 ft · 1.8 mi away

  4. Leaning South Peak

    Leaning South Peak

    13,218 ft · 1.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Maxwell?

Mount Maxwell is 13,337 feet (4,065 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. It is also known as Maxwell, Mt.

How does Mount Maxwell rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,337 feet, Mount Maxwell is the 311th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mount Maxwell?

The Mt. Maxwell East Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 2 miles with 1,735 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Maxwell?

Most people take 2 – 4 hours round trip on the Mt. Maxwell East Ridge, covering 2 miles with 1,735 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Mount Maxwell?

The Mt. Maxwell East Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 2 miles with 1,735 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 Maxwell?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Maxwell reaches 13,337 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 Maxwell?

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 Mount Maxwell?

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 Maxwell 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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