Yak logoYAK
  1. …
  2. Yak
  3. Quests
  4. Colorado 13ers
  5. Mount Owen

13,361 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Owen

Mount Owen is a 13,361 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Mt. Owen SW Face: 10 mi, 4,900 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Mount Owen in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Mount Owen at a glance

  • Elevation13,361 ft4,072 m
  • RouteMt. Owen SW FaceClass 2
  • Distance10 mi4,900 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Mt. Owen SW Face

Mount Owen sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Mt. Owen SW Face, rated Class 2. Plan about 10 miles round-trip with roughly 4,900 ft of gain from about 8,450 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 (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 Owen

Peaks near Mount Owen

  1. De Anza Peak

    De Anza Peak

    13,391 ft · 2.4 mi away

  2. Silver Peak

    Silver Peak

    13,517 ft · 2.5 mi away

  3. Electric Peak

    Electric Peak

    13,618 ft · 3.0 mi away

  4. Gibbs Peak

    Gibbs Peak

    13,577 ft · 3.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Owen?

Mount Owen is 13,361 feet (4,072 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. It is also known as Owen, Mt.

How does Mount Owen rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,361 feet, Mount Owen is the 294th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mount Owen?

The Mt. Owen SW Face is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 10 miles with 4,900 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Owen?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Mt. Owen SW Face, covering 10 miles with 4,900 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Mount Owen?

The Mt. Owen SW Face needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 10 miles with 4,900 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 Owen?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Owen reaches 13,361 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 Owen?

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 Owen?

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 Owen 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

App StoreGoogle Play