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13,440 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Vallecito Mtn

Vallecito Mtn is a 13,440 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Vallecito Mtn West Ridge: 28 mi, 9,025 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Vallecito Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Vallecito Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,440 ft4,096 m
  • RouteVallecito Mtn West RidgeClass 2
  • Distance28 mi9,025 ft gain
  • Time19 – 21 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Vallecito Mtn West Ridge

Vallecito Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Vallecito Mtn West Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 28.45 miles round-trip with roughly 9,025 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 (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

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Vallecito Mtn

Peaks near Vallecito Mtn

  1. Leviathan Peak

    Leviathan Peak

    13,534 ft · 0.5 mi away

  2. Six Peak

    Six Peak

    13,712 ft · 1.2 mi away

  3. Seven Peak

    Seven Peak

    13,682 ft · 1.3 mi away

  4. Ten Peak

    Ten Peak

    13,494 ft · 1.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Vallecito Mtn?

Vallecito Mtn is 13,440 feet (4,096 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Vallecito Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,440 feet, Vallecito Mtn is the 242nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Vallecito Mtn?

The Vallecito Mtn West Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 28 miles with 9,025 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Vallecito Mtn?

Most people take 19 – 21 hours round trip on the Vallecito Mtn West Ridge, covering 28 miles with 9,025 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Vallecito Mtn?

The Vallecito Mtn West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 28 miles with 9,025 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 Vallecito Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Vallecito Mtn reaches 13,440 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 Vallecito Mtn?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 19 – 21 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Vallecito 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 Vallecito 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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