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13,173 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mount Valois

Mount Valois is a 13,173 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Mount Valois North Ridge: 24 mi, 4,925 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Valois in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mount Valois at a glance

  • Elevation13,173 ft4,015 m
  • RouteMount Valois North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance24 mi4,925 ft gain
  • Time15 – 17 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Mount Valois North Ridge

Mount Valois sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Mount Valois North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 24.4 miles round-trip with roughly 4,925 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 Valois

Peaks near Mount Valois

  1. McCauley Peak

    McCauley Peak

    13,555 ft · 1.7 mi away

  2. Aztec Mtn

    Aztec Mtn

    13,311 ft · 2.1 mi away

  3. Grizzly Peak

    Grizzly Peak

    13,700 ft · 2.3 mi away

  4. Sheep Mtn

    Sheep Mtn

    13,073 ft · 2.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Valois?

Mount Valois is 13,173 feet (4,015 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Valois, Mt.

How does Mount Valois rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,173 feet, Mount Valois is the 447th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mount Valois?

The Mount Valois North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 24 miles with 4,925 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Valois?

Most people take 15 – 17 hours round trip on the Mount Valois North Ridge, covering 24 miles with 4,925 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Mount Valois?

The Mount Valois North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 24 miles with 4,925 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 Valois?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount Valois reaches 13,173 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 Valois?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 15 – 17 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Mount Valois?

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 Valois 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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