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13,466 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Ute Ridge

Ute Ridge is a 13,466 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Ute Ridge WSW Ridge: 7 mi, 3,990 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Ute Ridge in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Ute Ridge at a glance

  • Elevation13,466 ft4,104 m
  • RouteUte Ridge WSW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance7 mi3,990 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Ute Ridge WSW Ridge

Ute Ridge sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Ute Ridge WSW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 7.3 miles round-trip with roughly 3,990 ft of gain from about 11,800 ft. Expect a rough 4WD approach road. 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 (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
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Ute Ridge

Peaks near Ute Ridge

  1. UN 13318

    UN 13318

    13,318 ft · 2.1 mi away

  2. UN 13121

    UN 13121

    13,121 ft · 3.0 mi away

  3. Hunchback Mtn

    Hunchback Mtn

    13,143 ft · 4.0 mi away

  4. Rio Grande Pyramid

    Rio Grande Pyramid

    13,825 ft · 4.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Ute Ridge?

Ute Ridge is 13,466 feet (4,104 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Ute Ridge rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,466 feet, Ute Ridge is the 227th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Ute Ridge?

The Ute Ridge WSW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 3,990 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Ute Ridge?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Ute Ridge WSW Ridge, covering 7 miles with 3,990 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Ute Ridge?

The Ute Ridge WSW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 7 miles with 3,990 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 Ute Ridge?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Ute Ridge reaches 13,466 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 Ute Ridge?

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 Ute Ridge?

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 Ute Ridge 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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