Yak logoYAK
  1. …
  2. Yak
  3. Quests
  4. Colorado 13ers
  5. West Needle Mtn

13,060 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

West Needle Mtn

West Needle Mtn is a 13,060 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the West Needle NW Couloir: 15 mi, 5,080 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
West Needle Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

West Needle Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,060 ft3,980 m
  • RouteWest Needle NW CouloirClass 2
  • Distance15 mi5,080 ft gain
  • Time10 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the West Needle NW Couloir

West Needle Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is West Needle NW Couloir, rated Class 2. Plan about 15.5 miles round-trip with roughly 5,080 ft of gain from about 10,815 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. 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 (35–55 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 Needle Mtn

Peaks near West Needle Mtn

  1. Twilight Peak

    Twilight Peak

    13,162 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. North Twilight Peak

    North Twilight Peak

    13,084 ft · 1.4 mi away

  3. N 2

    N 2

    13,060 ft · 3.8 mi away

  4. Pigeon Peak

    Pigeon Peak

    13,977 ft · 4.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is West Needle Mtn?

West Needle Mtn is 13,060 feet (3,980 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does West Needle Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,060 feet, West Needle Mtn is the 546th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike West Needle Mtn?

The West Needle NW Couloir is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 15 miles with 5,080 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike West Needle Mtn?

Most people take 10 – 12 hours round trip on the West Needle NW Couloir, covering 15 miles with 5,080 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike West Needle Mtn?

The West Needle NW Couloir needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 15 miles with 5,080 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 Needle Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and West Needle Mtn reaches 13,060 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 Needle Mtn?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 10 – 12 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike West Needle 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 West Needle 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

App StoreGoogle Play