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13,820 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Peak 13820

Peak 13820 is a 13,820 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Southwest Ridge: 12 mi, 4,465 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado Centennials
Peak 13820 in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Peak 13820 at a glance

  • Elevation13,820 ft4,212 m
  • RouteSouthwest RidgeClass 2
  • Distance12 mi4,465 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Southwest Ridge

From Lake City, drive south on Highway 149 and take the Lake San Cristobal turnoff, then follow CR 30 (the Cinnamon Pass road) to the Silver Creek and Grizzly Gulch trailhead used for Handies and Redcloud; careful passenger cars can make it, but higher clearance is better. Hike the Silver Creek trail, then climb tundra and talus to the Class 2 southwest ridge. Most parties combine it with Peak 13838 for a long day. Start early for storms. Camping is available along the Cinnamon Pass road, and the area is busy with jeeps in summer.

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

  • Loose rock
  • Storms
  • High winds

Quests with Peak 13820

Peaks near Peak 13820

  1. Cooper Creek Peak

    Cooper Creek Peak

    13,694 ft · 2.3 mi away

  2. Redcloud Peak

    Redcloud Peak

    14,034 ft · 2.6 mi away

  3. Every Mtn

    Every Mtn

    13,698 ft · 3.1 mi away

  4. Sunshine Peak

    Sunshine Peak

    14,001 ft · 3.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Peak 13820?

Peak 13820 is 13,820 feet (4,212 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Peak 13820 rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,820 feet, Peak 13820 is the 97th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to hike Peak 13820?

The Southwest 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 4,465 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Peak 13820?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Southwest Ridge, covering 12 miles with 4,465 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Peak 13820?

The Southwest Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 12 miles with 4,465 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 Peak 13820?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Peak 13820 reaches 13,820 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 Peak 13820?

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 Peak 13820?

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 Peak 13820 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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