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13,712 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Six Peak

Six Peak is a 13,712 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Peak Six SW Ridge: 28 mi, 9,325 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Six Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Six Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,712 ft4,179 m
  • RoutePeak Six SW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance28 mi9,325 ft gain
  • Time19 – 21 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Peak Six SW Ridge

Six Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Peak Six SW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 28.7 miles round-trip with roughly 9,325 ft of gain from about 11,800 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 Six Peak

Peaks near Six Peak

  1. Five Peak

    Five Peak

    13,291 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Leviathan Peak

    Leviathan Peak

    13,534 ft · 0.8 mi away

  3. Seven Peak

    Seven Peak

    13,682 ft · 0.8 mi away

  4. Ten Peak

    Ten Peak

    13,494 ft · 1.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Six Peak?

Six Peak is 13,712 feet (4,179 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Six, Peak.

How does Six Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,712 feet, Six Peak is the 87th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Six Peak?

The Peak Six SW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 28 miles with 9,325 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Six Peak?

Most people take 19 – 21 hours round trip on the Peak Six SW Ridge, covering 28 miles with 9,325 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Six Peak?

The Peak Six SW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 28 miles with 9,325 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 Six Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Six Peak reaches 13,712 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 Six Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 19 – 21 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Six 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 Six 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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