Uncompahgre Peak
Mountain Colorado's high summit in the San Juan Mountains
One of Colorado’s 14ers, Uncompahgre Peak draws hikers and scramblers into the San Juan Mountains for long summit days, alpine tundra and wide mountain views above treeline.
Uncompahgre Peak is a mountain in western Colorado with a summit elevation of 4,365 meters (14,321 feet). It is the highest summit of the San Juan Mountains.
Hikers and mountaineers visit for the summit of a Colorado fourteener; standard routes are long day hikes or overnight climbs and involve sustained elevation gain of several hundred to over a thousand meters. The summit offers broad alpine views typical of the San Juans and tundra above tree line.
The peak takes its name from a Ute word often rendered as Uncompahgre. It has been a recognized mountaineering objective since the era of Colorado’s early climbing history and lies within designated wilderness to preserve its alpine environment.
Uncompahgre Peak is in southwestern Colorado, within the Uncompahgre Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains, in the vicinity of the towns of Ouray and Lake City in western Colorado.
- Elevation: Summit elevation is 4,365 meters, making it one of Colorado's fourteeners.
- Access: Located within the Uncompahgre Wilderness, the peak is approached by long hiking routes that are non-technical in summer.
How to Get to Uncompahgre Peak #
Uncompahgre Peak is accessed from trailheads off forest roads in the Uncompahgre Wilderness, usually via the Nellie Creek Trail or East Ridge approach. The nearest town with services is Lake City or Ouray, depending on the approach; consult the USDA Forest Service Gunnison and Uncompahgre district resources for current trail conditions.
Tips for Visiting Uncompahgre Peak #
- Start hikes early to avoid afternoon storms common in the Rockies.
- Altitude acclimatization is important-Uncompahgre Peak is one of Colorado's 'fourteeners' (14,321 ft / 4,365 m).
- Use a current trail map and check for seasonal closures; summer snowfields can linger into July on north-facing slopes.
Best Time to Visit Uncompahgre Peak #
Summer months provide the safest window for non-technical hikers; winter ascents require mountaineering skills.
Weather & Climate near Uncompahgre Peak #
Uncompahgre Peak's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -20°C to 16°C. Moderate rainfall (957 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -20°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and breezy conditions.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -19°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -18°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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April
April is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).
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May
May is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).
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July
July is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (101 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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October
October is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -13°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -18°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and breezy conditions.
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