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13,560 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Wasatch Mtn

Wasatch Mtn is a 13,560 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Wasatch Mtn NNW Ridge: 8 mi, 3,215 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Wasatch Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Wasatch Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,560 ft4,133 m
  • RouteWasatch Mtn NNW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi3,215 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Wasatch Mtn NNW Ridge

Wasatch Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Wasatch Mtn NNW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,215 ft of gain from about 10,380 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. 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 (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
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Wasatch Mtn

Peaks near Wasatch Mtn

  1. La Junta Peak

    La Junta Peak

    13,475 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. Jackass Point

    Jackass Point

    13,145 ft · 1.1 mi away

  3. San Joaquin Ridge

    San Joaquin Ridge

    13,480 ft · 1.3 mi away

  4. Bridal Peak

    Bridal Peak

    13,514 ft · 1.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Wasatch Mtn?

Wasatch Mtn is 13,560 feet (4,133 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Wasatch Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,560 feet, Wasatch Mtn is the 159th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Wasatch Mtn?

The Wasatch Mtn NNW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 3,215 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Wasatch Mtn?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Wasatch Mtn NNW Ridge, covering 8 miles with 3,215 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Wasatch Mtn?

The Wasatch Mtn NNW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 3,215 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 Wasatch Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Wasatch Mtn reaches 13,560 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 Wasatch Mtn?

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 Wasatch 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 Wasatch 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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