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13,330 ft · Mosquito Range, Colorado

West Buffalo Peak

West Buffalo Peak is a 13,330 ft peak in the Mosquito Range, Colorado. The standard route is the West Buffalo SE Ridge: 6 mi, 2,410 ft of gain, Class 2.

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West Buffalo Peak in the Mosquito Range, Colorado

West Buffalo Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,330 ft4,062 m
  • RouteWest Buffalo SE RidgeClass 2
  • Distance6 mi2,410 ft gain
  • Time4 – 6 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeMosquito RangeColorado

Climbing the West Buffalo SE Ridge

West Buffalo Peak sits in the Mosquito Range. The usual ascent is West Buffalo SE Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 6.4 miles round-trip with roughly 2,410 ft of gain from about 11,400 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 West Buffalo Peak

Peaks near West Buffalo Peak

  1. East Buffalo Peak

    East Buffalo Peak

    13,303 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Mount Columbia

    Mount Columbia

    14,073 ft · 11.1 mi away

  3. Mount Harvard

    Mount Harvard

    14,420 ft · 11.5 mi away

  4. Mount Oxford

    Mount Oxford

    14,160 ft · 11.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is West Buffalo Peak?

West Buffalo Peak is 13,330 feet (4,062 m) tall. It is in the Mosquito Range, Colorado.

How does West Buffalo Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,330 feet, West Buffalo Peak is the 315th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike West Buffalo Peak?

The West Buffalo SE Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 6 miles with 2,410 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike West Buffalo Peak?

Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the West Buffalo SE Ridge, covering 6 miles with 2,410 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike West Buffalo Peak?

The West Buffalo SE Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 2,410 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 West Buffalo Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and West Buffalo Peak reaches 13,330 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 West Buffalo Peak?

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 West Buffalo 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 West Buffalo Peak with Yak

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