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13,756 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

San Miguel Peak

San Miguel Peak is a 13,756 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the San Miguel NE Ridge: 7 mi, 2,020 ft of gain, Class 2.

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San Miguel Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

San Miguel Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,756 ft4,192 m
  • RouteSan Miguel NE RidgeClass 2
  • Distance7 mi2,020 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the San Miguel NE Ridge

San Miguel Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is San Miguel NE Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 7 miles round-trip with roughly 2,020 ft of gain from about 10,745 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. 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 Miguel Peak

Peaks near San Miguel Peak

  1. V 10

    V 10

    13,480 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. V 9

    V 9

    13,244 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. Grizzly Peak

    Grizzly Peak

    13,753 ft · 1.6 mi away

  4. Rolling Mtn

    Rolling Mtn

    13,697 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is San Miguel Peak?

San Miguel Peak is 13,756 feet (4,192 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does San Miguel Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,756 feet, San Miguel Peak is the 71st highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike San Miguel Peak?

The San Miguel NE Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 2,020 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike San Miguel Peak?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the San Miguel NE Ridge, covering 7 miles with 2,020 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike San Miguel Peak?

The San Miguel NE Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 7 miles with 2,020 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 Miguel Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and San Miguel Peak reaches 13,756 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 Miguel 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 San Miguel 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 San Miguel 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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