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13,545 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Tower Mtn

Tower Mtn is a 13,545 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Tower Mtn. NW Ridges: 9 mi, 2,400 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Tower Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Tower Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,545 ft4,128 m
  • RouteTower Mtn. NW RidgesClass 2
  • Distance9 mi2,400 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Tower Mtn. NW Ridges

Tower Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Tower Mtn. NW Ridges, rated Class 2. Plan about 9 miles round-trip with roughly 2,400 ft of gain from about 11,240 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 (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 Tower Mtn

Peaks near Tower Mtn

  1. Storm Peak

    Storm Peak

    13,495 ft · 1.3 mi away

  2. Proposal Peak

    Proposal Peak

    13,339 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Bonita Peak

    Bonita Peak

    13,286 ft · 2.7 mi away

  4. Hanson Peak

    Hanson Peak

    13,462 ft · 3.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Tower Mtn?

Tower Mtn is 13,545 feet (4,128 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Tower Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,545 feet, Tower Mtn is the 170th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Tower Mtn?

The Tower Mtn. NW Ridges is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Tower Mtn?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Tower Mtn. NW Ridges, covering 9 miles with 2,400 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Tower Mtn?

The Tower Mtn. NW Ridges needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 2,400 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 Tower Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Tower Mtn reaches 13,545 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 Tower Mtn?

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 Tower Mtn?

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 Tower Mtn 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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