Yak logoYAK
  1. …
  2. Yak
  3. Quests
  4. Colorado 13ers
  5. Summit Peak

13,304 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Summit Peak

Summit Peak is a 13,304 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Summit Peak East Ridge: 5 mi, 2,350 ft of gain, Class 2.

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

Summit Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,304 ft4,055 m
  • RouteSummit Peak East RidgeClass 2
  • Distance5 mi2,350 ft gain
  • Time4 – 6 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Summit Peak East Ridge

Summit Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Summit Peak East Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 5 miles round-trip with roughly 2,350 ft of gain from about 10,950 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. 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 Summit Peak

Peaks near Summit Peak

  1. Unicorn, The

    Unicorn, The

    13,030 ft · 1.1 mi away

  2. Montezuma Peak

    Montezuma Peak

    13,158 ft · 1.6 mi away

  3. Conejos Peak

    Conejos Peak

    13,176 ft · 8.1 mi away

  4. Bennett Peak

    Bennett Peak

    13,206 ft · 17.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Summit Peak?

Summit Peak is 13,304 feet (4,055 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Summit Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,304 feet, Summit Peak is the 346th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Summit Peak?

The Summit Peak East Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 5 miles with 2,350 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Summit Peak?

Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the Summit Peak East Ridge, covering 5 miles with 2,350 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Summit Peak?

The Summit Peak East Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 5 miles with 2,350 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 Summit Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Summit Peak reaches 13,304 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 Summit 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 Summit 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 Summit 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

App StoreGoogle Play