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13,481 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mount Ridgway

Mount Ridgway is a 13,481 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Mount Ridgway from Ridgway Hut: 11 mi, 4,835 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Ridgway in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mount Ridgway at a glance

  • Elevation13,481 ft4,109 m
  • RouteMount Ridgway from Ridgway HutClass 2
  • Distance11 mi4,835 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Mount Ridgway from Ridgway Hut

Mount Ridgway sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Mount Ridgway from Ridgway Hut, rated Class 2. Plan about 11.3 miles round-trip with roughly 4,835 ft of gain from about 9,430 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 (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 Ridgway

Peaks near Mount Ridgway

  1. Whitehouse Mtn

    Whitehouse Mtn

    13,500 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. Teakettle Mtn

    Teakettle Mtn

    13,815 ft · 1.0 mi away

  3. Cirque Mtn

    Cirque Mtn

    13,692 ft · 1.2 mi away

  4. Corbett Ridge

    Corbett Ridge

    13,107 ft · 1.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Ridgway?

Mount Ridgway is 13,481 feet (4,109 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Ridgway, Mt.

How does Mount Ridgway rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,481 feet, Mount Ridgway is the 218th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mount Ridgway?

The Mount Ridgway from Ridgway Hut 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 4,835 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Ridgway?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Mount Ridgway from Ridgway Hut, covering 11 miles with 4,835 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Ridgway?

The Mount Ridgway from Ridgway Hut needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 11 miles with 4,835 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 Ridgway?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Ridgway reaches 13,481 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 Ridgway?

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 Ridgway?

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 Ridgway 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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