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13,271 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Wildhorse Peak

Wildhorse Peak is a 13,271 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Wildhorse Peak SE Ridge: 6 mi, 1,000 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Wildhorse Peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Wildhorse Peak at a glance

  • Elevation13,271 ft4,045 m
  • RouteWildhorse Peak SE RidgeClass 2
  • Distance6 mi1,000 ft gain
  • Time4 – 6 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Wildhorse Peak SE Ridge

Wildhorse Peak sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Wildhorse Peak SE Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 6.8 miles round-trip with roughly 1,000 ft of gain from about 12,415 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 Wildhorse Peak

Peaks near Wildhorse Peak

  1. Blackwall Mtn

    Blackwall Mtn

    13,077 ft · 1.3 mi away

  2. UN 13140

    UN 13140

    13,140 ft · 1.8 mi away

  3. Darley Mtn

    Darley Mtn

    13,275 ft · 2.2 mi away

  4. Cow BM

    Cow BM

    13,116 ft · 2.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Wildhorse Peak?

Wildhorse Peak is 13,271 feet (4,045 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Wildhorse Peak rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,271 feet, Wildhorse Peak is the 371st highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Wildhorse Peak?

The Wildhorse Peak 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 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Wildhorse Peak?

Most people take 4 – 6 hours round trip on the Wildhorse Peak SE Ridge, covering 6 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Wildhorse Peak?

The Wildhorse Peak SE Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 6 miles with 1,000 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 Wildhorse Peak?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Wildhorse Peak reaches 13,271 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 Wildhorse 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 Wildhorse 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 Wildhorse Peak 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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