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13,441 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mountaineer Peak

Mountaineer Peak is a 13,441 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Mountaineer Pk-Highland Mary Lakes Approach: 7 mi, 3,300 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Mountaineer Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Mountaineer Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,441 ft4,096 m
  • RouteMountaineer Pk-Highland Mary Lakes ApproachClass 2
  • Distance7 mi3,300 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Mountaineer Pk-Highland Mary Lakes Approach

Mountaineer Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Mountaineer Pk-Highland Mary Lakes Approach, rated Class 2. Plan about 7.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,300 ft of gain from about 10,460 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 (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 Mountaineer Peak

Peaks near Mountaineer Peak

  1. Kendall Peak

    Kendall Peak

    13,455 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. Little Giant Peak

    Little Giant Peak

    13,417 ft · 1.8 mi away

  3. Kendall Mtn

    Kendall Mtn

    13,353 ft · 1.9 mi away

  4. Kendall No 2 BM

    Kendall No 2 BM

    13,073 ft · 2.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mountaineer Peak?

Mountaineer Peak is 13,441 feet (4,096 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Mountaineer Peak.

How does Mountaineer Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,441 feet, Mountaineer Peak is the 240th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Mountaineer Peak?

The Mountaineer Pk-Highland Mary Lakes Approach is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 3,300 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mountaineer Peak?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Mountaineer Pk-Highland Mary Lakes Approach, covering 7 miles with 3,300 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Mountaineer Peak?

The Mountaineer Pk-Highland Mary Lakes Approach needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 7 miles with 3,300 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 Mountaineer Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mountaineer Peak reaches 13,441 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 Mountaineer Peak?

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 Mountaineer Peak?

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 Mountaineer Peak 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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