Yak logoYAK
  1. …
  2. Yak
  3. Quests
  4. Colorado Centennials
  5. Niagara Peak

13,816 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Niagara Peak

Niagara Peak is a 13,816 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Northeast Ridge: 9 mi, 4,145 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado Centennials
Niagara Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Niagara Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,816 ft4,211 m
  • RouteNortheast RidgeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi4,145 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Northeast Ridge

From Silverton, take County Road 2 northeast up the Animas River toward Animas Forks and park at the Burns Gulch turnoff; most crossovers make it, and 4WD can drive a couple more miles up the gulch. Hike the Burns Gulch road into the upper basin, then climb Class 2 talus to Niagara's northeast ridge and the summit. Jones and American peaks share the basin for a three-summit day. The last of the 100 highest ranked peaks in Colorado. Start early for storms. Camping is available along the Animas River road, and jeeps are common on the old mining roads.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (30–40 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

  • Loose rock
  • Storms
  • High winds

Quests with Niagara Peak

Peaks near Niagara Peak

  1. Jones Mountain

    Jones Mountain

    13,867 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. American Peak

    American Peak

    13,814 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. UN 13549

    UN 13549

    13,549 ft · 2.0 mi away

  4. Handies Peak

    Handies Peak

    14,048 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Niagara Peak?

Niagara Peak is 13,816 feet (4,211 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Niagara Peak rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,816 feet, Niagara Peak is the 99th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to hike Niagara Peak?

The Northeast Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 4,145 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Niagara Peak?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Northeast Ridge, covering 9 miles with 4,145 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Niagara Peak?

The Northeast Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 4,145 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 Niagara Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Niagara Peak reaches 13,816 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 Niagara 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 Niagara 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 Niagara 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

App StoreGoogle Play