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13,240 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Weminuche Peak

Weminuche Peak is a 13,240 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the "Weminuche" Peak West Ridge: 23 mi, 6,400 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Weminuche Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Weminuche Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,240 ft4,035 m
  • Route"Weminuche" Peak West RidgeClass 2
  • Distance23 mi6,400 ft gain
  • Time15 – 17 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the "Weminuche" Peak West Ridge

Weminuche Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is "Weminuche" Peak West Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 23.8 miles round-trip with roughly 6,400 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 Weminuche Peak

Peaks near Weminuche Peak

  1. Mount Oso

    Mount Oso

    13,689 ft · 1.9 mi away

  2. UN 13,350 (near Irving Peak)

    UN 13,350 (near Irving Peak)

    13,350 ft · 2.4 mi away

  3. Irving Peak

    Irving Peak

    13,216 ft · 2.9 mi away

  4. UN 13164

    UN 13164

    13,164 ft · 5.7 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Weminuche Peak?

Weminuche Peak is 13,240 feet (4,035 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. It is also known as Weminuche Peak.

How does Weminuche Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,240 feet, Weminuche Peak is the 394th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Weminuche Peak?

The "Weminuche" Peak 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: 23 miles with 6,400 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Weminuche Peak?

Most people take 15 – 17 hours round trip on the "Weminuche" Peak West Ridge, covering 23 miles with 6,400 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Weminuche Peak?

The "Weminuche" Peak West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 23 miles with 6,400 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 Weminuche Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Weminuche Peak reaches 13,240 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 Weminuche Peak?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 15 – 17 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Weminuche Peak?

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 Weminuche Peak 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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