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- Ten Peak
13,494 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado
Ten Peak
Ten Peak is a 13,494 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Peak Ten Southeast Face: 24 mi, 8,095 ft of gain, Class 4.

Ten Peak at a glance
- Elevation13,494 ft4,112 m
- RoutePeak Ten Southeast FaceClass 4
- Distance24 mi8,095 ft gain
- Time25 – 27 hrsExtreme effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado
Climbing the Peak Ten Southeast Face
Ten Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Peak Ten Southeast Face, rated Class 4. Plan about 24.7 miles round-trip with roughly 8,095 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 a helmet; rope may be prudent for less experienced parties on the crux.
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
Helmet
Harness
Rope
Belay Device
Carabiners
What to watch for
- Storms
- High altitude
- Loose rock
- Steep exposure
- Route-finding difficulty
Quests with Ten Peak
Peaks near Ten Peak
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Ten Peak?
Ten Peak is 13,494 feet (4,112 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Ten, Peak.
How does Ten Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?
At 13,494 feet, Ten Peak is the 209th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.
How hard is it to climb Ten Peak?
The Peak Ten Southeast Face is Class 4, which means exposed scrambling, where many parties bring a rope. Yak rates the overall effort extreme: 24 miles with 8,095 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb Ten Peak?
Most people take 25 – 27 hours round trip on the Peak Ten Southeast Face, covering 24 miles with 8,095 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Is Ten Peak dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and fast-changing weather. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.
Do you need a rope to climb Ten Peak?
Most parties bring one. The Peak Ten Southeast Face is Class 4, and the gear list includes a rope, harness and belay device.
Will you get altitude sickness on Ten Peak?
You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Ten Peak reaches 13,494 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 climbing Ten Peak?
Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 25 – 27 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.
When is the best time to climb Ten Peak?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Ten 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



