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13,977 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Pigeon Peak

Pigeon Peak is a 13,977 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Northwest Couloir: 8 mi, 5,790 ft of gain, Class 3.

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

Pigeon Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,977 ft4,260 m
  • RouteNorthwest CouloirClass 3
  • Distance8 mi5,790 ft gain
  • Time2 – 3 daysVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Northwest Couloir

Ride the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad to the Needleton stop, cross the Animas River, and follow the unmaintained route up steep, overgrown slopes into Northwest Pigeon Basin. From camp, climb the Northwest Couloir and upper face on Class 3 rock with loose sections and real exposure. The approach is brutally steep and route-finding is demanding. Plan two to three days and book train seats well ahead, since summer runs sell out. Turret Peak pairs easily from the same basin. Helmets recommended.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 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
  • Helmet

What to watch for

  • Steep exposure
  • Loose rock
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Remote location
  • Complex logistics

Quests with Pigeon Peak

Peaks near Pigeon Peak

  1. Turret Peak

    Turret Peak

    13,837 ft · 0.5 mi away

  2. Fifteen Peak

    Fifteen Peak

    13,671 ft · 0.6 mi away

  3. Animas Mtn

    Animas Mtn

    13,789 ft · 1.2 mi away

  4. Monitor Peak

    Monitor Peak

    13,707 ft · 1.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Pigeon Peak?

Pigeon Peak is 13,977 feet (4,260 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Pigeon Peak rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,977 feet, Pigeon Peak is the 57th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to climb Pigeon Peak?

The Northwest Couloir is Class 3, which means scrambling, where you use your hands to climb and a fall could be serious. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 8 miles with 5,790 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Pigeon Peak?

Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the Northwest Couloir, with at least one night on the mountain.

Is Pigeon Peak dangerous to climb?

It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and tricky route-finding. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.

Do you need a helmet for Pigeon Peak?

It is a good idea. Loose rock and rockfall are common on the Northwest Couloir, so a helmet is on the gear list.

Do you need to acclimatize to climb Pigeon Peak?

Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Pigeon Peak reaches 13,977 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

When is the best time to climb Pigeon Peak?

The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Pigeon 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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