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13,073 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Sheep Mtn

Sheep Mtn is a 13,073 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Sheep Mtn. D North Ridge: 20 mi, 4,770 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Sheep Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Sheep Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,073 ft3,984 m
  • RouteSheep Mtn. D North RidgeClass 2
  • Distance20 mi4,770 ft gain
  • Time13 – 15 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Sheep Mtn. D North Ridge

Sheep Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Sheep Mtn. D North Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 20.6 miles round-trip with roughly 4,770 ft of gain from about 11,290 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 Sheep Mtn

Peaks near Sheep Mtn

  1. Mount Valois

    Mount Valois

    13,173 ft · 2.4 mi away

  2. McCauley Peak

    McCauley Peak

    13,555 ft · 3.7 mi away

  3. Irving Peak

    Irving Peak

    13,216 ft · 4.3 mi away

  4. Grizzly Peak

    Grizzly Peak

    13,700 ft · 4.5 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Sheep Mtn?

Sheep Mtn is 13,073 feet (3,984 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Sheep Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,073 feet, Sheep Mtn is the 536th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Sheep Mtn?

The Sheep Mtn. D 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: 20 miles with 4,770 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Sheep Mtn?

Most people take 13 – 15 hours round trip on the Sheep Mtn. D North Ridge, covering 20 miles with 4,770 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Sheep Mtn?

The Sheep Mtn. D North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 20 miles with 4,770 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 Sheep Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Sheep Mtn reaches 13,073 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 Sheep Mtn?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 13 – 15 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Sheep Mtn?

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 Sheep Mtn 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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