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13,078 ft · Sawatch Range, Colorado

West Tellurium

West Tellurium is a 13,078 ft peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. The standard route is the West Tellurium East Ridge: 8 mi, 2,645 ft of gain, Class 2.

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West Tellurium in the Sawatch Range, Colorado

West Tellurium at a glance

  • Elevation13,078 ft3,986 m
  • RouteWest Tellurium East RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi2,645 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSawatch RangeColorado

Climbing the West Tellurium East Ridge

West Tellurium sits in the Sawatch Range. The usual ascent is West Tellurium East Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.1 miles round-trip with roughly 2,645 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 (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 West Tellurium

Peaks near West Tellurium

  1. Tellurium Peak

    Tellurium Peak

    13,311 ft · 1.0 mi away

  2. Tabor Peak

    Tabor Peak

    13,282 ft · 1.2 mi away

  3. UN 13102

    UN 13102

    13,102 ft · 2.2 mi away

  4. Truro Peak

    Truro Peak

    13,298 ft · 2.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is West Tellurium?

West Tellurium is 13,078 feet (3,986 m) tall. It is in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. It is also known as West Tellurium.

How does West Tellurium rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,078 feet, West Tellurium is the 532nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike West Tellurium?

The West Tellurium East 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 2,645 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike West Tellurium?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the West Tellurium East Ridge, covering 8 miles with 2,645 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike West Tellurium?

The West Tellurium East Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 2,645 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 Tellurium?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and West Tellurium reaches 13,078 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 Tellurium?

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 Tellurium?

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 Tellurium 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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