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13,713 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Silver Mtn

Silver Mtn is a 13,713 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Silver Mountain South Ridge: 11 mi, 4,250 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Silver Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Silver Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,713 ft4,179 m
  • RouteSilver Mountain South RidgeClass 2
  • Distance11 mi4,250 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Silver Mountain South Ridge

Silver Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Silver Mountain South Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 11.6 miles round-trip with roughly 4,250 ft of gain from about 11,425 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 (35–55 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 Silver Mtn

Peaks near Silver Mtn

  1. Uncompahgre Peak

    Uncompahgre Peak

    14,321 ft · 2.5 mi away

  2. El Punto

    El Punto

    13,319 ft · 3.0 mi away

  3. UN 13155

    UN 13155

    13,155 ft · 3.7 mi away

  4. Sheep Mtn

    Sheep Mtn

    13,170 ft · 3.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Silver Mtn?

Silver Mtn is 13,713 feet (4,179 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Silver Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,713 feet, Silver Mtn is the 86th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Silver Mtn?

The Silver Mountain South Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 11 miles with 4,250 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Silver Mtn?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Silver Mountain South Ridge, covering 11 miles with 4,250 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Silver Mtn?

The Silver Mountain South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 11 miles with 4,250 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 Silver Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Silver Mtn reaches 13,713 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 Silver Mtn?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 8 – 10 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Silver 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 Silver 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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