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13,636 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mount Silex

Mount Silex is a 13,636 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Mount Silex SW Ridge: 20 mi, 8,330 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Silex in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mount Silex at a glance

  • Elevation13,636 ft4,156 m
  • RouteMount Silex SW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance20 mi8,330 ft gain
  • Time14 – 16 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Mount Silex SW Ridge

Mount Silex sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Mount Silex SW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 20 miles round-trip with roughly 8,330 ft of gain from about 11,800 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 (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 Silex

Peaks near Mount Silex

  1. Nine Peak

    Nine Peak

    13,404 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Storm King Peak

    Storm King Peak

    13,753 ft · 0.8 mi away

  3. Eight Peak

    Eight Peak

    13,252 ft · 1.0 mi away

  4. Seven Peak

    Seven Peak

    13,682 ft · 1.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Silex?

Mount Silex is 13,636 feet (4,156 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Silex, Mt.

How does Mount Silex rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,636 feet, Mount Silex is the 124th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mount Silex?

The Mount Silex 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: 20 miles with 8,330 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Silex?

Most people take 14 – 16 hours round trip on the Mount Silex SW Ridge, covering 20 miles with 8,330 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Silex?

The Mount Silex SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 20 miles with 8,330 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 Silex?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Silex reaches 13,636 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 Silex?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 14 – 16 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Mount Silex?

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 Silex 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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