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13,141 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Precipice Peak

Precipice Peak is a 13,141 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Precipice Southwest Gully: 3 mi, 2,400 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Precipice Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Precipice Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,141 ft4,005 m
  • RoutePrecipice Southwest GullyClass 2
  • Distance3 mi2,400 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Precipice Southwest Gully

Precipice Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Precipice Southwest Gully, rated Class 2. Plan about 3 miles round-trip with roughly 2,400 ft of gain from about 10,750 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 (25–35 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 Precipice Peak

Peaks near Precipice Peak

  1. Fortress Peak

    Fortress Peak

    13,246 ft · 1.6 mi away

  2. Redcliff

    Redcliff

    13,648 ft · 2.3 mi away

  3. Coxcomb Peak

    Coxcomb Peak

    13,663 ft · 2.8 mi away

  4. El Punto

    El Punto

    13,319 ft · 2.9 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Precipice Peak?

Precipice Peak is 13,141 feet (4,005 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Precipice Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,141 feet, Precipice Peak is the 482nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Precipice Peak?

The Precipice Southwest Gully is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 3 miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Precipice Peak?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the Precipice Southwest Gully, covering 3 miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Precipice Peak?

The Precipice Southwest Gully needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 3 miles with 2,400 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 Precipice Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Precipice Peak reaches 13,141 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 Precipice 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 Precipice 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 Precipice 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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