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13,453 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Tundra Top

Tundra Top is a 13,453 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Tundra Top South Slopes: 8 mi, 1,450 ft of gain, Class 1.

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Tundra Top in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Tundra Top at a glance

  • Elevation13,453 ft4,100 m
  • RouteTundra Top South SlopesClass 1
  • Distance8 mi1,450 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Tundra Top South Slopes

Tundra Top sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Tundra Top South Slopes, rated Class 1. Plan about 8 miles round-trip with roughly 1,450 ft of gain from about 12,370 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Stay on the trail, carry layers for cold wind, and turn around if weather builds. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge. Carry extra water above treeline.

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

Quests with Tundra Top

Peaks near Tundra Top

  1. Cataract Peak

    Cataract Peak

    13,541 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Carson Peak

    Carson Peak

    13,662 ft · 1.2 mi away

  3. UN 13573

    UN 13573

    13,573 ft · 1.5 mi away

  4. UN 13587

    UN 13587

    13,587 ft · 2.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Tundra Top?

Tundra Top is 13,453 feet (4,100 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Tundra Top.

How does Tundra Top rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,453 feet, Tundra Top is the 237th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Tundra Top?

The Tundra Top South Slopes is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 1,450 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Tundra Top?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Tundra Top South Slopes, covering 8 miles with 1,450 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Tundra Top?

The Tundra Top South Slopes needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 1,450 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 Tundra Top?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Tundra Top reaches 13,453 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 Tundra Top?

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 Tundra Top?

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 Tundra Top 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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