Elevation

14,315 ft / 4,363 m

#7 in Colorado

#35 in United States

Prominence
about

4,242 ft / 1,293 m

#7 in Colorado

#151 in United States

Summits

70 summits

#33 in Colorado

#518 in United States

Top climbing months

August   25%

July   25%

September  14%

Most climbed route

South Ridge via Nellie Creek

Class 2

Highlights

  • Uncompahgre peak is the highest Colorado 14er in the San Juan Range.
  • Has a broad summit plateau, rising about 1,500 feet above the broad surrounding alpine basins.
  • Its distinct shape and easy standard route attracts many summit seekers.
  • The south, east, and west sides are not particularly steep, but the north face boasts a 700 foot cliff.
  • Like all peaks in the San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre is of volcanic origin, but is not a volcano.
  • The rock is of poor quality for climbing, precluding an ascent of the north face.
South Ridge from Nellie Creek
6 summits • 7.9 mi • 2,800 ft gain • 6 hr 31 min
Uncompahgre Peak 7.9 mi route
1 summit • 7.9 mi • 15 ft gain • 2 hr 48 min
"Amazing stand alone peak with excellent views. Challenging 4WD road to the trailhead. The most difficult part is right after the steep switchbacks up the southeast face. It is a hands and feet scramble with loose rocks." — jeffmcknight • Jul 23, 2021
"4:00 am start from the lower Matterhorn Creek trailhead at 9,700'. Dirt road was just barely doable with 5 inches of clearance. Summitted Wetterhorn at 7:30, Matterhorn at 10:00 and Uncompahgre at 1:00. Got back to the car about 4:30. Wetterhorn crux was more exposed (and fun) than expected and Uncompahgre took forever to get to. Awesome range and can't wait to get there again. https://youtu.be/UCLtYRtNQWk" — cheeseishappiness • Oct 15, 2020
"Loved this one! Fairly easy and straighforward, which was great considering I forgot my hiking pants and shirt! We hit the beginning of the alpenglow with perfect temperatures, only a few other groups of people, and got to witness an epic falcon-raven battle while descending. And my first 14er with Jennifer!" — LGH-Dan • Sep 18, 2020
"After a climb of Wetterhorn, headed cross country to bag this one. Originally planned to end around to the South Ridge, but passed a group that just came down the West Face and said it wasn't bad. The route up steepened through some cliff bands half way up and was most loose near the top (not great for a torn ATFL) but the traverse from Wetterhorn wound up taking 3.5 hours. I would not hesitate to recommend the West Face despite the warnings if you're comfortable on loose class II. Complete TR: http://themtsarecalling.com/wetteruncomp/" — Christopher • Jul 16, 2016
"Began ascent from Nellie Creek 4WD TH at 7am, perfect weather, peaked at 10:40. Spent about an hour on the summit, beginning descent at 11:45, and with storms approaching, finished at 1:45pm shortly before rain hit. 27th CO 14er (and on the 27th!)" — Globetrotter87 • Jul 27, 2013
"Perfect day for this summit. Colorado Blue Skies, wind was calm and the hike was great! Cut some time off coming down by sliding on windbreakers down the snow that was still up there." — drschickchiro • Jul 2, 2011
"This was a great solo in late spring. The trudge through the snow on the flat was the worst part. The glissade down the southernmost snow gully on the way down was the best. " — ChrisMeloche • May 26, 2001

Awards

drschickchiro

bfsmith

Challenges

Colorado 14ers Challenge