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13,816 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Trinity Peak

Trinity Peak is a 13,816 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the West Ridge: 22 mi, 7,150 ft of gain, Class 4.

Plan this climbView Colorado Centennials

Trinity Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,816 ft4,211 m
  • RouteWest RidgeClass 4
  • Distance22 mi7,150 ft gain
  • Time2 – 3 daysExtreme effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the West Ridge

From Silverton, drive south on US 550 to the Molas Pass trailhead, then descend the Colorado Trail to the Animas River at Elk Park (or ride the Durango and Silverton train to Elk Park). Hike Elk Creek and the steep climbers' trail into Vestal Basin to camp. Climb over West Trinity and follow the West Ridge to the middle summit, with Class 4 moves and real exposure. Plan two to three days and budget for the climb back to Molas. Helmets recommended. Carry a helmet and consider a rope for less experienced partners on the Class 4 section.

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

  • Steep exposure
  • Loose rock
  • Route-finding difficulty
  • Remote location
  • Storms

Quests with Trinity Peak

Peaks near Trinity Peak

  1. West Trinity

    West Trinity

    13,765 ft · 0.4 mi away

  2. Three Peak

    Three Peak

    13,487 ft · 0.8 mi away

  3. Vestal Peak

    Vestal Peak

    13,867 ft · 1.2 mi away

  4. Eight Peak

    Eight Peak

    13,252 ft · 1.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Trinity Peak?

Trinity Peak is 13,816 feet (4,211 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Trinity Peak rank among the Colorado Centennials?

At 13,816 feet, Trinity Peak is the 99th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.

How hard is it to climb Trinity Peak?

The West Ridge is Class 4, which means exposed scrambling, where many parties bring a rope. Yak rates the overall effort extreme: 22 miles with 7,150 feet of elevation gain.

How many days does it take to climb Trinity Peak?

Most climbers plan 2 – 3 days for the West Ridge, with at least one night on the mountain.

Is Trinity 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 Trinity Peak?

Most parties bring one. The West Ridge is Class 4, and the gear list includes a rope, harness and belay device.

Do you need to acclimatize to climb Trinity Peak?

Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Trinity Peak reaches 13,816 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

When is the best time to climb Trinity 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 Trinity 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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