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13,722 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Pole Creek Mtn

Pole Creek Mtn is a 13,722 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Pole Creek Mtn. North Ridge: 17 mi, 3,195 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Pole Creek Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Pole Creek Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,722 ft4,182 m
  • RoutePole Creek Mtn. North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance17 mi3,195 ft gain
  • Time10 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Pole Creek Mtn. North Ridge

Pole Creek Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Pole Creek Mtn. North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 17.7 miles round-trip with roughly 3,195 ft of gain from about 12,370 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. 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 (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

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Pole Creek Mtn

Peaks near Pole Creek Mtn

  1. Northwest Pole

    Northwest Pole

    13,670 ft · 1.5 mi away

  2. UN 13573

    UN 13573

    13,573 ft · 3.0 mi away

  3. UN 13587

    UN 13587

    13,587 ft · 3.4 mi away

  4. Greenhalgh Mtn

    Greenhalgh Mtn

    13,228 ft · 4.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Pole Creek Mtn?

Pole Creek Mtn is 13,722 feet (4,182 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Pole Creek Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,722 feet, Pole Creek Mtn is the 82nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Pole Creek Mtn?

The Pole Creek Mtn. North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 17 miles with 3,195 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Pole Creek Mtn?

Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the Pole Creek Mtn. North Ridge, covering 17 miles with 3,195 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Pole Creek Mtn?

The Pole Creek Mtn. North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 17 miles with 3,195 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 Pole Creek Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Pole Creek Mtn reaches 13,722 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 Pole Creek Mtn?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 10 – 12 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Pole Creek 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 Pole Creek 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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