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13,156 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

South River Peak

South River Peak is a 13,156 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the S. River Pk. via Piedra Pass: 16 mi, 4,690 ft of gain, Class 2.

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South River Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

South River Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,156 ft4,009 m
  • RouteS. River Pk. via Piedra PassClass 2
  • Distance16 mi4,690 ft gain
  • Time11 – 13 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the S. River Pk. via Piedra Pass

South River Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is S. River Pk. via Piedra Pass, rated Class 2. Plan about 16.8 miles round-trip with roughly 4,690 ft of gain from about 11,620 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 (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 South River Peak

Peaks near South River Peak

  1. Chief Mtn

    Chief Mtn

    13,019 ft · 13.2 mi away

  2. Unicorn, The

    Unicorn, The

    13,030 ft · 21.1 mi away

  3. Montezuma Peak

    Montezuma Peak

    13,158 ft · 21.1 mi away

  4. Summit Peak

    Summit Peak

    13,304 ft · 22.0 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is South River Peak?

South River Peak is 13,156 feet (4,009 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does South River Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,156 feet, South River Peak is the 468th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike South River Peak?

The S. River Pk. via Piedra Pass is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 16 miles with 4,690 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike South River Peak?

Most people take 11 – 13 hours round trip on the S. River Pk. via Piedra Pass, covering 16 miles with 4,690 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike South River Peak?

The S. River Pk. via Piedra Pass needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 16 miles with 4,690 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 South River Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and South River Peak reaches 13,156 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 South River Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 11 – 13 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike South River 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 South River 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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