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13,838 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Peak 13838

Peak 13838 is a 13,838 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the West Ridge: 9 mi, 3,535 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado Centennials

Peak 13838 at a glance

  • Elevation13,838 ft4,217 m
  • RouteWest RidgeClass 2
  • Distance9 mi3,535 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the West 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 leave it and climb tundra, rubble, and talus to the Class 2 west ridge. Combine with Peak 13820 for a 12 mile 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 (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 Peak 13838

Peaks near Peak 13838

  1. Peak 13820

    Peak 13820

    13,820 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. Redcloud Peak

    Redcloud Peak

    14,034 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. Cooper Creek Peak

    Cooper Creek Peak

    13,694 ft · 1.6 mi away

  4. Sunshine Peak

    Sunshine Peak

    14,001 ft · 2.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Peak 13838?

Peak 13838 is 13,838 feet (4,217 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Peak 13838 rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,838 feet, Peak 13838 is the 89th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to hike Peak 13838?

The West 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 3,535 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Peak 13838?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the West Ridge, covering 9 miles with 3,535 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Peak 13838?

The West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 3,535 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 13838?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Peak 13838 reaches 13,838 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 13838?

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 Peak 13838?

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 13838 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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