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13,030 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Unicorn, The

Unicorn, The is a 13,030 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Unicorn South Ridge: 6 mi, 3,640 ft of gain, Class 1.

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Unicorn, The in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Unicorn, The at a glance

  • Elevation13,030 ft3,971 m
  • RouteThe Unicorn South RidgeClass 1
  • Distance6 mi3,640 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Unicorn South Ridge

Unicorn, The sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is The Unicorn South Ridge, rated Class 1. Plan about 6.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,640 ft of gain from about 10,950 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. 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.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (25–35 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 Unicorn, The

Peaks near Unicorn, The

  1. Montezuma Peak

    Montezuma Peak

    13,158 ft · 0.6 mi away

  2. Summit Peak

    Summit Peak

    13,304 ft · 1.1 mi away

  3. Conejos Peak

    Conejos Peak

    13,176 ft · 8.9 mi away

  4. Bennett Peak

    Bennett Peak

    13,206 ft · 16.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Unicorn, The?

Unicorn, The is 13,030 feet (3,971 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Unicorn, The.

How does Unicorn, The rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,030 feet, Unicorn, The is the 565th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Unicorn, The?

The Unicorn South Ridge is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 3,640 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Unicorn, The?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Unicorn South Ridge, covering 6 miles with 3,640 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Unicorn, The?

The Unicorn South Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 3,640 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 Unicorn, The?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Unicorn, The reaches 13,030 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 Unicorn, The?

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 Unicorn, The?

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 Unicorn, The 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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