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13,487 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Three Peak

Three Peak is a 13,487 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Horn Peak East Ridge: 8 mi, 4,330 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Three Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Three Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,487 ft4,110 m
  • RouteHorn Peak East RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi4,330 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Horn Peak East Ridge

Three Peak sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Horn Peak East Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.2 miles round-trip with roughly 4,330 ft of gain from about 9,120 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 (30–40 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 Three Peak

Peaks near Three Peak

  1. Two Peak

    Two Peak

    13,475 ft · 0.8 mi away

  2. West Trinity

    West Trinity

    13,765 ft · 0.9 mi away

  3. One Peak

    One Peak

    13,599 ft · 1.1 mi away

  4. Vestal Peak

    Vestal Peak

    13,867 ft · 1.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Three Peak?

Three Peak is 13,487 feet (4,110 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. It is also known as Three, Peak.

How does Three Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,487 feet, Three Peak is the 214th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Three Peak?

The Horn 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: 8 miles with 4,330 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Three Peak?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Horn Peak East Ridge, covering 8 miles with 4,330 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Three Peak?

The Horn Peak East Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 4,330 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 Three Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Three Peak reaches 13,487 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 Three 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 Three 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 Three 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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