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14,001 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Sunshine Peak
Sunshine Peak is a 14,001 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Combo: Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks: 12 mi, 4,800 ft of gain, Class 2.
Sunshine Peak at a glance
- Elevation14,001 ft4,267 m
- RouteCombo: Redcloud and Sunshine PeaksClass 2
- Distance12 mi4,800 ft gain
- Time7 – 9 hrsVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado
Climbing the Combo: Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks
From Lake City, Colorado, take the Cinnamon Pass Road to the Silver Creek trailhead. High clearance or 4WD recommended. Usually climbed after Redcloud Peak via the connecting ridge traverse. Loose rock and exposure on the traverse require careful footing. Watch for afternoon weather on the saddle between peaks. Class 2 terrain. Good trail conditions on the approach. The San Juan Mountains provide spectacular scenery throughout. Often done as a two-peak day with Redcloud. Start early to finish both before afternoon storms develop. Nice views of the surrounding wilderness.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (25–35 L)
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Hiking Boots
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Sun Hat
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Loose rock
- Steep exposure
- Storms
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High altitude
- Altitude sickness
- High winds
- Low visibility
Sunshine Peak on Yak
Climbers have shared 14 climbs of Sunshine Peak on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Sunshine Peak
Colorado 14ers
Lower 48 14ers
Colorado CentennialsPeaks near Sunshine Peak
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Sunshine Peak?
Sunshine Peak is 14,001 feet (4,267 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.
How does Sunshine Peak rank among the Colorado 14ers?
At 14,001 feet, Sunshine Peak is the 58th highest of the 58 Colorado 14ers. The highest is Mount Elbert.
How hard is it to hike Sunshine Peak?
The Combo: Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 12 miles with 4,800 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Sunshine Peak?
Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Combo: Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks, covering 12 miles with 4,800 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike Sunshine Peak?
The Combo: Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 12 miles with 4,800 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 Sunshine Peak?
You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Sunshine Peak reaches 14,001 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 Sunshine 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 Sunshine 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.
What is the trailhead elevation for Sunshine Peak?
The Combo: Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks starts at about 10,440 feet, roughly 3,561 feet below the summit.
What routes go up Sunshine Peak?
The standard route is the Combo: Redcloud and Sunshine Peaks. Other routes include the Northwest Face.
Climb Sunshine 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