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13,681 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Quarter Peak

Quarter Peak is a 13,681 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Quarter Peak North Ridge: 19 mi, 3,315 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Quarter Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Quarter Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,681 ft4,169 m
  • RouteQuarter Peak North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance19 mi3,315 ft gain
  • Time12 – 14 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Quarter Peak North Ridge

Quarter Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Quarter Peak North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 19.9 miles round-trip with roughly 3,315 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 Quarter Peak

Peaks near Quarter Peak

  1. Half Peak

    Half Peak

    13,866 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. Campbell Creek Peak

    Campbell Creek Peak

    13,461 ft · 1.8 mi away

  3. Cataract Peak

    Cataract Peak

    13,541 ft · 2.1 mi away

  4. UN 13801

    UN 13801

    13,801 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Quarter Peak?

Quarter Peak is 13,681 feet (4,169 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Quarter Peak.

How does Quarter Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,681 feet, Quarter Peak is the 105th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Quarter Peak?

The Quarter Peak 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: 19 miles with 3,315 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Quarter Peak?

Most people take 12 – 14 hours round trip on the Quarter Peak North Ridge, covering 19 miles with 3,315 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Quarter Peak?

The Quarter Peak North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 19 miles with 3,315 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 Quarter Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Quarter Peak reaches 13,681 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 Quarter Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 12 – 14 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Quarter 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 Quarter 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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