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13,553 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Whitecross Mtn

Whitecross Mtn is a 13,553 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Grizzly Gulch - SE Slopes: 7 mi, 3,100 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Whitecross Mtn in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Whitecross Mtn at a glance

  • Elevation13,553 ft4,130 m
  • RouteGrizzly Gulch - SE SlopesClass 2
  • Distance7 mi3,100 ft gain
  • Time5 – 7 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Grizzly Gulch - SE Slopes

Whitecross Mtn sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Grizzly Gulch - SE Slopes, rated Class 2. Plan about 7.5 miles round-trip with roughly 3,100 ft of gain from about 10,440 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. 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 Whitecross Mtn

Peaks near Whitecross Mtn

  1. Handies Peak

    Handies Peak

    14,048 ft · 1.4 mi away

  2. UN 13801

    UN 13801

    13,801 ft · 1.6 mi away

  3. UN 13403

    UN 13403

    13,403 ft · 2.1 mi away

  4. UN 13,544 (near Whitecross Mountain)

    UN 13,544 (near Whitecross Mountain)

    13,544 ft · 2.2 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Whitecross Mtn?

Whitecross Mtn is 13,553 feet (4,130 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Whitecross Mtn rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,553 feet, Whitecross Mtn is the 166th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Whitecross Mtn?

The Grizzly Gulch - SE Slopes is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 7 miles with 3,100 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Whitecross Mtn?

Most people take 5 – 7 hours round trip on the Grizzly Gulch - SE Slopes, covering 7 miles with 3,100 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Whitecross Mtn?

The Grizzly Gulch - SE Slopes needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 7 miles with 3,100 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 Whitecross Mtn?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Whitecross Mtn reaches 13,553 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 Whitecross Mtn?

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 Whitecross 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 Whitecross 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

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