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13,480 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado
San Joaquin Ridge
San Joaquin Ridge is a 13,480 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the San Joaquin Ridge West & South Ridge Access: 4 mi, 3,350 ft of gain, Class 2.
San Joaquin Ridge at a glance
- Elevation13,480 ft4,108 m
- RouteSan Joaquin Ridge West & South Ridge AccessClass 2
- Distance4 mi3,350 ft gain
- Time4 – 6 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado
Climbing the San Joaquin Ridge West & South Ridge Access
San Joaquin Ridge sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is San Joaquin Ridge West & South Ridge Access, rated Class 2. Plan about 4 miles round-trip with roughly 3,350 ft of gain from about 10,300 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. 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 San Joaquin Ridge
Colorado 13ersPeaks near San Joaquin Ridge
Frequently asked questions
How tall is San Joaquin Ridge?
San Joaquin Ridge is 13,480 feet (4,108 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.
How does San Joaquin Ridge rank among the Colorado 13ers?
At 13,480 feet, San Joaquin Ridge is the 219th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.
How hard is it to hike San Joaquin Ridge?
The San Joaquin Ridge West & South Ridge Access is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 4 miles with 3,350 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike San Joaquin Ridge?
Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the San Joaquin Ridge West & South Ridge Access, covering 4 miles with 3,350 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike San Joaquin Ridge?
The San Joaquin Ridge West & South Ridge Access needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 3,350 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 San Joaquin Ridge?
You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and San Joaquin Ridge reaches 13,480 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 San Joaquin Ridge?
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 San Joaquin Ridge?
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 San Joaquin Ridge 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