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13,628 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

White Dome

White Dome is a 13,628 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the White Dome NNW Ridge: 4 mi, 1,700 ft of gain, Class 2.

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White Dome in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

White Dome at a glance

  • Elevation13,628 ft4,153 m
  • RouteWhite Dome NNW RidgeClass 2
  • Distance4 mi1,700 ft gain
  • Time3 – 5 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the White Dome NNW Ridge

White Dome sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is White Dome NNW Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 4 miles round-trip with roughly 1,700 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 (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 White Dome

Peaks near White Dome

  1. One Peak

    One Peak

    13,599 ft · 0.8 mi away

  2. Hunchback Mtn

    Hunchback Mtn

    13,143 ft · 0.8 mi away

  3. Two Peak

    Two Peak

    13,475 ft · 1.5 mi away

  4. Three Peak

    Three Peak

    13,487 ft · 1.8 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is White Dome?

White Dome is 13,628 feet (4,153 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does White Dome rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,628 feet, White Dome is the 126th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike White Dome?

The White Dome NNW Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 4 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike White Dome?

Most people take 3 – 5 hours round trip on the White Dome NNW Ridge, covering 4 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike White Dome?

The White Dome NNW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 4 miles with 1,700 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 White Dome?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and White Dome reaches 13,628 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 White Dome?

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 White Dome?

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 White Dome 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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