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13,084 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

North Twilight Peak

North Twilight Peak is a 13,084 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the North Twilight East Ridge: 13 mi, 2,685 ft of gain, Class 2.

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North Twilight Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

North Twilight Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,084 ft3,988 m
  • RouteNorth Twilight East RidgeClass 2
  • Distance13 mi2,685 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the North Twilight East Ridge

North Twilight Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is North Twilight East Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 13.1 miles round-trip with roughly 2,685 ft of gain from about 10,815 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 (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 North Twilight Peak

Peaks near North Twilight Peak

  1. Twilight Peak

    Twilight Peak

    13,162 ft · 0.4 mi away

  2. West Needle Mtn

    West Needle Mtn

    13,060 ft · 1.4 mi away

  3. N 2

    N 2

    13,060 ft · 2.9 mi away

  4. Snowdon Peak

    Snowdon Peak

    13,090 ft · 3.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is North Twilight Peak?

North Twilight Peak is 13,084 feet (3,988 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does North Twilight Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,084 feet, North Twilight Peak is the 526th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike North Twilight Peak?

The North Twilight East Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 13 miles with 2,685 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike North Twilight Peak?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the North Twilight East Ridge, covering 13 miles with 2,685 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike North Twilight Peak?

The North Twilight East Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 13 miles with 2,685 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 North Twilight Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and North Twilight Peak reaches 13,084 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 North Twilight Peak?

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 North Twilight 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 North Twilight 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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