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13,316 ft · Elk Mountains, Colorado

Oyster Peak

Oyster Peak is a 13,316 ft peak in the Elk Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the UN13,316 (Oyster Peak) SE Ridge: 9 mi, 3,580 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Oyster Peak in the Elk Mountains, Colorado

Oyster Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,316 ft4,058 m
  • RouteUN13,316 (Oyster Peak) SE RidgeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi3,580 ft gain
  • Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeElk MountainsColorado

Climbing the UN13,316 (Oyster Peak) SE Ridge

Oyster Peak sits in the Elk Mountains. The usual ascent is UN13,316 (Oyster Peak) SE Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 9.9 miles round-trip with roughly 3,580 ft of gain from about 10,200 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 (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

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Oyster Peak

Peaks near Oyster Peak

  1. Pearl Mtn

    Pearl Mtn

    13,379 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Castle Peak

    Castle Peak

    14,279 ft · 1.9 mi away

  3. UN 13559

    UN 13559

    13,559 ft · 1.9 mi away

  4. Castleabra

    Castleabra

    13,804 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Oyster Peak?

Oyster Peak is 13,316 feet (4,058 m) tall. It is in the Elk Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Oyster Peak.

How does Oyster Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,316 feet, Oyster Peak is the 330th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Oyster Peak?

The UN13,316 (Oyster Peak) SE 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 3,580 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Oyster Peak?

Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the UN13,316 (Oyster Peak) SE Ridge, covering 9 miles with 3,580 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Oyster Peak?

The UN13,316 (Oyster Peak) SE Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 3,580 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 Oyster Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Oyster Peak reaches 13,316 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 Oyster 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 Oyster 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 Oyster 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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