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- Rio Grande Pyramid
13,825 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Rio Grande Pyramid
Rio Grande Pyramid is a 13,825 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the East Slope and Ridge: 19 mi, 4,725 ft of gain, Class 2.
Rio Grande Pyramid at a glance
- Elevation13,825 ft4,213 m
- RouteEast Slope and RidgeClass 2
- Distance19 mi4,725 ft gain
- Time1 – 2 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado
Climbing the East Slope and Ridge
From Creede, drive Highway 149 west and turn onto FR 520 toward Rio Grande Reservoir, crossing the river to Thirtymile Campground; passenger cars are fine. Hike the Weminuche and Rincon La Vaca trails toward Weminuche Pass, then climb the peak's east slope and ridge on Class 2 talus to the pointed summit. The distance is long, so most parties backpack in and camp near the pass. The Window, a notch on the Divide, is a short side trip. Start early for storms. Thirtymile Campground has sites near the trailhead.
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
- Remote location
- Storms
- Loose rock
- Stream crossing
Quests with Rio Grande Pyramid
Colorado Centennials
Colorado 13ersPeaks near Rio Grande Pyramid
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Rio Grande Pyramid?
Rio Grande Pyramid is 13,825 feet (4,213 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.
How does Rio Grande Pyramid rank among the Colorado Centennials?
At 13,825 feet, Rio Grande Pyramid is the 96th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.
How hard is it to hike Rio Grande Pyramid?
The East Slope and 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 4,725 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Rio Grande Pyramid?
Most climbers plan 1 – 2 days for the East Slope and Ridge, with at least one night on the mountain.
Can a beginner hike Rio Grande Pyramid?
The East Slope and Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard trip: 19 miles with 4,725 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Rio Grande Pyramid?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Rio Grande Pyramid reaches 13,825 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 hike Rio Grande Pyramid?
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 Rio Grande Pyramid 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