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13,808 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Organ Mtn

Organ Mtn is a 13,808 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Organ Mountain NW Ridge: 12 mi, 3,335 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Organ Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Organ Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,808 ft4,208 m
  • RouteOrgan Mountain NW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance12 mi3,335 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Organ Mountain NW Ridge

Organ Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Organ Mountain NW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 12.6 miles round-trip with roughly 3,335 ft of gain from about 10,480 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. 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 Organ Mtn

Peaks near Organ Mtn

  1. Baldy Alto

    Baldy Alto

    13,703 ft · 1.8 mi away

  2. San Luis Peak

    San Luis Peak

    14,014 ft · 2.0 mi away

  3. Stewart Peak

    Stewart Peak

    13,988 ft · 2.7 mi away

  4. Phoenix Peak

    Phoenix Peak

    13,904 ft · 4.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Organ Mtn?

Organ Mtn is 13,808 feet (4,208 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Organ Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,808 feet, Organ Mtn is the 52nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Organ Mtn?

The Organ Mountain NW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 12 miles with 3,335 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Organ Mtn?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Organ Mountain NW Ridge, covering 12 miles with 3,335 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Organ Mtn?

The Organ Mountain NW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 12 miles with 3,335 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 Organ Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Organ Mtn reaches 13,808 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 Organ Mtn?

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 Organ Mtn?

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 Organ Mtn 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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