South San Juan Range, Colorado

South San Juan Range, Colorado

Page Type Page Type: Area/Range
Location Lat/Lon: 37.61641°N / 106.43005°W
Activities Activities: Hiking, Scrambling
Additional Information Elevation: 13300 ft / 4054 m
Sign the Climber's Log

Introduction


     A look at four of the seven highest peaks in the range, on the Continental Divide

     Host to three counties' highpoints (Archuleta, Conejos, and Rio Grande), the "South San Juan Range" could be loosely defined as the portion of the San Juan Range south of Wolf Creek Pass, bounded by highways 160 and 285 down to New Mexico.  The range sees relatively few visitors, and is somewhat remote, although access is available via an abundant array of forest roads.  Aside from county highpoint enthusiasts and not-too-common 13er peakbaggers, the area does not see too much overall hiking activity.  Indeed, the lack of 14ers or high 13ers often translates to solitude, and there is an unending supply of pristine wilderness to be explored.  There are 55 ranked peaks higher than 12,000', and 16 peaks with more than 1,000' of prominence.  Many who visit for the three county highpoints (which can be accomplished in a single day) may choose not to return, but there are those who will not be able to resist the lure of the area.  Some of the most lush tundra in the state with huge expanses above treeline and incredible vistas of the Continental Divide make this a special place. There are many rugged and obscure high peaks at the southern and eastern end of the range, with at least one peak known to be technical (Squaretop Mountain - 11,766').  Three population centers provide entry to the South San Juans - Del Norte, South Fork, and Pagosa Springs, all reached via/located on highway 160.  A southern portion of the range lies outside public lands, some encompassed by Banded Peak Ranch. From 12,065' south to Chama Peak is within the historic Tierra Amarilla Land Grant.   Be cognizant of the boundaries are when exploring this area.

Tobacco Lake near Conejos Peak - photo by Alan Ellis

     The Board of Geographic Names does not recognize the area as a separate range, although the area is largely designated a wilderness area bearing the name "South San Juan Wilderness", and is among the most rugged wildeness areas left in the state.  The "range" could just be considered a southern cell of the San Juan Range.  Railroad Pass is the true lowpoint between the core of the San Juan Range and the South San Juan Range, as opposed to a seemingly more obvious candidate, Wolf Creek Pass.  Railroad Pass is the key saddle for Summit Peak, the highest peak in the South San Juans.  The Piñon Hills to the east of the contiguous peaks of the range have been intentionally omitted since hey can be considered a separate subrange.  The Rio Grande River (and its South Fork) bound the range on the north and east side, and highway 160 parallels them.  On the west side of the range begin the headwaters of the San Juan River, flowing to New Mexico and on to Utah.  Water seems abundant nearby from just about anywhere within the range, and it is host to a myriad of waterfalls, one of which is the destination of a short hike off highway 160 below Wolf Creek Pass on the Pagosa Srings side.

Spectacular Treasure Creek waterfall - photo by shknbke

Beautiful Columbines seen on approach to Conejos Peak


Interesting Recent History/Facts
     The last grizzly bear sighting in Colorado was within the South San Juan wilderness in 1979 (killed during a dramatic attack involving self-defense with arrow in hand), and some speculate that grizzlies may still roam the area.
Articles:
Ghost Grizzlies or if unavailable see this text version
Reintroduction of Grizzlies to CO?

     Extensive mining at Summitville has had environmental consequences and was the focus of much research and national debate in the early 1990's highlighting revision of mining activities on public lands.  Cyanide was used to extract silver and gold from mined rock and began to leak in 1986.  Additionally, open pit mining activity exposed sulphide-rich rock that had oxidized and entered water drainages, increasing pH levels to the point where fish in the Alamosa River, ponds, and Terrace Reservoir disappeared.  Efforts have been made to contain the drainage and Summitville was taken over authority of the EPA as a superfund site in 1994 and total cost has been estimated over $100 million.
Articles:
USGS Publication - THE SUMMITVILLE MINE AND ITS DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS
Environmental Protection Agency Publication


Acid-rich drainage seen below South Mountain at Summitville

 

Interactive Google Map of South San Juan Range Peaks

 

Scenery and Setting


Summit Peak - The Monarch


Spring snow clings to Cropsy Mountain and Conejos Peak


"The Unicorn" beckons many a climber destined for Summit Peak


Rugged Peaks on the Continental Divide south of Summit Peak


Long Trek Mountain isn't necessarily a long trek, but delivers the views


Lookout Mountain A sits well guarded by steep loose talus


Bonito Mountain is a tantalizingly close meadow stroll from FR 14


Horseshoe Mountain is among the first to welcome travelers from Del Norte


Chama Peak seen from New Mexico during a thunderstorm

Peaks > 12,000'

Rank Name Elevation Quad Rise Latitude Longitude Class
392 Summit Peak 13,300' Summit Peak 2,760' 37.3506 -106.6968 2
485 Bennett Peak 13,203' Jasper 1,743' 37.4833 -106.4340 2
505 Conejos Peak 13,172' Platoro 1,912' 37.2887 -106.5709 2
524 Montezuma Peak 13,150' Summit Peak 690' 37.3731 -106.6914 2
624 "The Unicorn" 13,020' Summit Peak 440' 37.3666 -106.6993 2
727 12887 12,887' Summit Peak 1,578' 37.2867 -106.6845  
741 Long Trek Mountain 12,866' Elwood Pass 566' 37.3859 -106.6803 2
759 Pintada Mountain 12,840' Jasper 620' 37.4967 -106.4023  
772 Snow Benchmark 12,815' Summit Peak 715' 37.2652 -106.6892  
801 Banded Peak 12,778' Chama Peak 1,313' 37.1045 -106.6271  
816 North Mountain A 12,754' Summitville 1,214' 37.4507 -106.6045 2
S 12741 12,741' Summit Peak 281' 37.2752 -106.6939  
839 12727 12,727' Summit Peak 547' 37.2590 -106.6860  
866 12690 12,690' Summit Peak 590' 37.3419 -106.6544  
889 Velvet Benchmark 12,657' Summit Peak 797' 37.3076 -106.6541  
905 12636 12,636' Summit Peak 376' 37.3314 -106.7065  
921 Grayback Mountain 12,616' Summitville 476' 37.4616 -106.5573 2
930 Windy Mountain 12,608' Jasper 543' 37.4661 -106.4020  
952 Cropsy Mountain 12,578' Summitville 1,078' 37.4088 -106.5964  
955 12569 12,569' Summit Peak 309' 37.3285 -106.7009  
956 12568 12,568' Elwood Pass 388' 37.4468 -106.6256  
962 12555 12,555' Platoro 535' 37.2770 -106.5231  
S South Mountain A 12,555' Summitville 295' 37.4192 -106.6012  
964 12550 A 12,550' Elwood Pass 530' 37.4038 -106.6746 2
986 12507 12,507' Summit Peak 327' 37.2826 -106.6984  
989 12505 C 12,505' Platoro 365' 37.2902 -106.5908  
994 Blackhead Peak 12,500' Blackhead Peak 800' 37.2889 -106.7742  
S 12500 E 12,500' Summit Peak 280' 37.2541 -106.6784  
999 12498 12,498' Elwood Pass 366' 37.4008 -106.6635 2+
1003 12494 B 12,494' Elwood Pass 434' 37.4637 -106.6308  
1007 12492 12,492' Summit Peak 592' 37.3001 -106.6768  
1008 Sheep Mountain H 12,492' Jasper 392' 37.4627 -106.4381  
1035 Lookout Mountain A 12,448' Summitville 628' 37.3895 -106.5928  
1059 Silver Mountain E 12,420' Jasper 452' 37.4311 -106.4214  
1065 Sand Mountain A 12,410' Blackhead Peak 590' 37.3184 -106.7755  
1066 12410 12,410' Summit Peak 510' 37.3360 -106.7320  
1072 Del Norte Peak 12,400' Del Norte Peak 1,020' 37.5897 -106.5634 2
1078 Quartz Ridge North 12,390' Blackhead Peak 330' 37.3410 -106.7720  
1085 12381 A 12,381' Summitville 441' 37.4733 -106.6188  
1090 12380 B 12,380' Victoria Lake 360' 37.1722 -106.5938  
1096 12373 12,373' Summit Peak 353' 37.3208 -106.6659  
1111 Gramps Peak 12,340' Victoria Lake 560' 37.1600 -106.6169  
1154 Cornwall Mountain 12,285' Jasper 1,744' 37.3811 -106.4920  
1163 Hogback Mesa South 12,260' Del Norte Peak 800' 37.5041 -106.5751  
1164 Sheepshead 12,260' Summitville 800' 37.3871 -106.6234  
  Prospect Mountain B 12,245' Elwood Pass 145' 37.3850 -106.6271  
1185 12225 12,225' Summit Peak 445' 37.3254 -106.7475  
1186 Hogback Mesa North 12,224' Del Norte Peak 404' 37.5329 -106.5671  
1201 Flat Benchmark 12,187' Archuleta Creek 927' 37.0897 -106.5213  
1204 Bonito Mountain 12,181' Summitville 481' 37.4470 -106.5331  
1239 12130 12,130' Blackhead Peak 310' 37.3160 -106.7526  
1241 Fets Peak 12,127' Elephant Head Rock 747' 37.1744 -106.6459  
1242 Marble Mountain B 12,124' Jasper 424' 37.4614 -106.4824  
  Burro Mountain A 12,110' Summitville 250' 37.4453 -106.5162  
1270 12065 12,065' Elephant Head Rock 485' 37.1925 -106.6477  
  Nipple Mountain B 12,060' Blackhead Peak 200' 37.2965 -106.7716  
1281 12050 12,050' Elwood Pass 419' 37.4347 -106.6803  
1289 Chalk Benchmark 12,031' Elephant Head Rock 1,971' 37.1418 -106.7500  
1295 Chama Peak 12,021' Chama Peak 1,281' 37.0403 -106.6289  
1298 Red Mountain G 12,018' Red Mountain 1,518' 37.3442 -106.4400  
1303 12010 12,010' Elwood Pass 310' 37.4228 -106.6554  


Summit Peak 13,300'

Bennett Peak 13,203'

Conejos Peak 13,172'

Montezuma Peak 13,150'

"The Unicorn" 13,020'

12887 12,887'

Long Trek Mountain 12,866'

Pintada Mountain 12,840'

Snow Benchmark 12,815'

North Mountain A 12,754'

12727 12,727'

12690 12,690'

Velvet Benchmark 12,657'

12636 12,636'

Grayback Mountain 12,616'

Windy Mountain 12,608'

Cropsy Mountain 12,578'

12569 12,569'

12568 12,568'

South Mountain A 12,555'

12550 A 12,550'

Blackhead Peak 12,500'

12498 12,498'

12494 B 12,494'

Sheep Mountain H 12,492'

Lookout Mountain A 12,448'

Silver Mountain E 12,420'

Sand Mountain A 12,410'

Del Norte Peak 12,400'

12381 A 12,381'

Cornwall Mountain 12,285'

Sheepshead 12,260'

Hogback Mesa South 12,260'

Bonito Mountain 12,181'

12050 12,050'

Chama Peak 12,021'

Peaks < 12,000'

Rank Name Elevation Quad Rise Latitude Longitude Class
  Poison Mountain 11,999' Horseshoe Mountain 179' 37.5108 -106.4486  
1324 11976 11,976' Summit Peak 316' 37.3592 -106.6398  
1354 Willow Mountain 11,906' Red Mountain 406' 37.3258 -106.4273  
1355 Coal Benchmark 11,905' Blackhead Peak 925' 37.3248 -106.8259  
1362 11891 11,891' Summit Peak 351' 37.2569 -106.6372  
1383 11855 11,855' Chama Peak 475' 37.0536 -106.6400  
1389 Handkerchief Mesa 11,847' Elwood Pass 427' 37.4792 -106.6495  
1394 11835 11,835' Elwood Pass 455' 37.4514 -106.7021  
  Elephant Mountain 11,829' Summitville 209' 37.4131 -106.5612  
1423 Squaretop Mountain 11,776' Blackhead Peak 1,116' 37.2585 -106.8063  
  Jarosa Peak 11,766' Cumbres 226' 37.0700 -106.4609  
1436 11755 11,755' Elephant Head Rock 975' 37.1806 -106.7303  
1467 Charleys Peak 11,677' Victoria Lake 337' 37.1708 -106.6177  
  Cornwalls Nose 11,644' Jasper 184' 37.4064 -106.4882  
1486 11636 11,636' Summitville 336' 37.3980 -106.5722  
S 11626 11,626' Elephant Head Rock 286' 37.1678 -106.6527  
1495 11601 A 11,601' Platoro 781' 37.3697 -106.6155  
1520 Klondike Mountain A 11,561' Platoro 581' 37.3567 -106.5795  
1526 11550 11,550' Blackhead Peak 330' 37.2694 -106.8030  
1536 11533 11,533' Horseshoe Mountain 313' 37.5276 -106.4262  
1538 Fox Mountain A 11,530' Beaver Creek Reservoir 1,350' 37.5060 -106.7437  
1540 Beaver Mountain A 11,528' Del Norte Peak 558' 37.6011 -106.6253  
1542 11526 11,526' Del Norte Peak 346' 37.5926 -106.5310  
1564 11472 11,472' Wolf Creek Pass 452' 37.3776 -106.7758  
1568 Flattop Mountain D 11,463' Elephant Head Rock 363' 37.2050 -106.7292  
1610 Mammoth Mountain B 11,385' Platoro 765' 37.3364 -106.5131  
1649 11291 11,291' Platoro 311' 37.3384 -106.5911  
1675 11223 B 11,223' Cumbres 323' 37.0952 -106.4255  
1685 11206 11,206' Del Norte Peak 506' 37.5196 -106.6182  
1686 Telluride Mountain 11,205' Summitville 385' 37.3847 -106.5464  
1688 11203 11,203' Horseshoe Mountain 463' 37.5373 -106.4489  
1689 Black Mountain D 11,201' Spectacle Lake 981' 37.1748 -106.4190  
1709 Green Ridge A 11,163' Greenie Mountain 943' 37.4440 -106.2822  
  Greenie Mountain 11,157' Greenie Mountain 217' 37.4400 -106.2689  
1713 11153 11,153' Del Norte Peak 544' 37.6087 -106.5145  
1733 11100 11,100' Elwood Pass 520' 37.3928 -106.7336  
1734 Lion Point 11,096' Greenie Mountain 316' 37.4486 -106.3212  
1746 Forest King Mountain 11,076' Platoro 416' 37.3422 -106.5416  
S 11037 B 11,037' Platoro 297' 37.2686 -106.6247  
1788 Pinorealosa Mountain 10,984' Cumbres 764' 37.0603 -106.3767  
1818 Horseshoe Mountain B 10,926' Horseshoe Mountain 466' 37.5668 -106.4102  
1822 Ribbon Mesa 10,912' Beaver Creek Reservoir 852' 37.5328 -106.6773  
1833 Neff Mountain 10,888' Cumbres 508' 37.0301 -106.4391  
1847 10864 10,864' Spectacle Lake 324' 37.2365 -106.4549  
1867 Cattle Mountain West 10,842' Beaver Creek Reservoir 942' 37.5731 -106.6995  
1877 10812 10,812' Chama Peak 312' 37.0656 -106.6573  
1881 Cattle Mountain East 10,807' Beaver Creek Reservoir 585' 37.5759 -106.6777  
1915 Osier Mountain 10,746' Osier 366' 37.0214 -106.3198  
1939 10695 10,695' Greenie Mountain 435' 37.4453 -106.3437  
1941 Demijohn Peak 10,690' Beaver Creek Reservoir 750' 37.5608 -106.6711  
1949 10671 10,671' Terrace Reservoir 571' 37.3434 -106.3459  
1951 10669 10,669' Terrace Reservoir 329' 37.3501 -106.3298  
1968 10625 10,625' Horseshoe Mountain 485' 37.5405 -106.3819  
1985 10592 10,592' Greenie Mountain 372' 37.4401 -106.3556  
  McIntyre Peak 10,561' Osier 61' 37.1189 -106.3522  
2013 10552 10,552' Terrace Reservoir 332' 37.3621 -106.3642  
2034 10515 10,515' Greenie Mountain 415' 37.4137 -106.3617  
2065 10434 10,434' Greenie Mountain 542' 37.3966 -106.3637  
2099 10376 10,376' La Jara Canyon 316' 37.1410 -106.3428  
2134 10299 10,299' Greenie Mountain 599' 37.3881 -106.3499  
2160 10256 A 10,256' Greenie Mountain 396' 37.4258 -106.2928  
2180 10220 A 10,220' Horseshoe Mountain 560' 37.5594 -106.4549  
2189 Grouse Mountain C 10,195' Beaver Creek Reservoir 495' 37.5922 -106.7009  
2191 10190 A 10,190' Spectacle Lake 330' 37.1302 -106.4228  
2238 10127 B 10,127' Dog Mountain 302' 37.5064 -106.3414  
2239 10124 10,124' La Jara Canyon 304' 37.1710 -106.3276  
S 10118 10,118' Terrace Reservoir 298' 37.2674 -106.3427  
2273 10068 10,068' La Jara Canyon 328' 37.1845 -106.3250  
S 10060 F 10,060' Jackson Mountain 280' 37.3334 -106.8835  
1568 Elephant Head Rock 9,963' Elephant Head Rock 463' 37.1369 -106.7140  
S 9955 9,955' Dog Mountain 295' 37.5332 -106.3516  
  Bald Ridge 9,900' Terrace Reservoir 76' 37.2512 -106.3208  
2411 9832 9,832' Horseshoe Mountain 332' 37.6077 -106.4864  
2419 Mogotes, Los 9,818' Fox Creek 668' 37.0777 -106.1720  
2422 9810 B 9,810' Blackhead Peak 310' 37.2681 -106.7583  
  Alamaditas Mesa 9,804' La Jara Canyon 144' 37.1380 -106.2877  
  Johnson Mountain 9,777' Elephant Head Rock 277' 37.1507 -106.6638  
2498 9676 9,676' La Jara Canyon 333' 37.2301 -106.2871  
2513 Dog Mountain 9,658' Dog Mountain 1,038' 37.6050 -106.3464  
2519 Chiquito Peak 9,641' Centro 1,021' 37.3512 -106.2447  
2566 9563 9,563' Dog Mountain 336' 37.5704 -106.3601  
  Shaw Mesa 9,535' South Fork East 49' 37.6608 -106.5585  
2623 9487 A 9,487' Terrace Reservoir 307' 37.2687 -106.2850  
2643 Jacobs Hill 9,445' Terrace Reservoir 465' 37.3363 -106.2697  
2787 9223 9,223' Horseshoe Mountain 563' 37.6182 -106.4084  
2804 9191 9,191' Dog Mountain 371' 37.6062 -106.3337  
2809 9181 A 9,181' Centro 401' 37.3681 -106.2471  
  Flat Top E 9,170' Vicente Canyon 200' 37.1617 -106.1812  
S 9140 E 9,140' Dog Mountain 280' 37.5473 -106.3255  
2915 9025 9,025' Blackhead Peak 325' 37.2793 -106.8685  
2990 Blue Mountain E 8,895' Harris Lake 675' 37.1957 -106.8599  
2994 8893 8,893' Del Norte 628' 37.6356 -106.3525  
3028 8850 B 8,850' Fox Creek 340' 37.0334 -106.1400  
  Pup Peak 8,790' Dog Mountain 210' 37.6221 -106.3128  
3102 8757 8,757' Indian Head 302' 37.6553 -106.3891  
  Bishop Rock 8,741' Greenie Mountain 81' 37.4859 -106.2764  
3143 Hott Benchmark 8,706' Jackson Mountain 366' 37.2941 -106.9125  
3325 Lookout Mountain I 8,475' Del Norte 400' 37.6712 -106.3598  
3353 Bear Mountain I 8,425' Harris Lake 325' 37.1787 -106.8578  
3367 Winter Hills HP 8,419' Serviceberry Mountain 493' 37.1772 -106.8878  
3475 Serviceberry Mountain A 8,271' Serviceberry Mountain 411' 37.1572 -106.9233  
3508 Winter Hills South 8,231' Serviceberry Mountain 371' 37.1582 -106.9117  
3548 Eightmile Mesa 8,176' Serviceberry Mountain 796' 37.1715 -106.9973  
3609 Perkins Benchmark 8,071' Serviceberry Mountain 371' 37.2456 -106.9500  
3736 Turkey Mountain 7,858' Serviceberry Mountain 318' 37.1792 -106.9520  
3828 Reservoir 2 Benchmark 7,690' Jackson Mountain 510' 37.2612 -106.9999  
3867 7610 7,610' Oak Brush Hill 350' 37.2181 -107.0033  
3917 7515 A 7,515' Oak Brush Hill 455' 37.1366 -107.0485  

Hikes and Trailheads


Hiking Conejos Peak - photo by tacoturner


     With 158,790 acres of designated Wilderness Area, the South San Juan area has a multitude of trails and good access to many of the peaks. Long ridge runs are possible combining several peaks together such as Summit Peak and two ranked 12ers on its southern flank and five ranked 13ers/12ers to the north via the Treasure Creek approach. Many peak combinations are also possible near Summitville and more lengthy outings can be had combining rugged 12ers west of Platoro Reservoir.  A significant portion of The Continental Divide Trail lies within the South San Juan Wilderness, providing for long treks above treeline and outstanding scenery.


US Forest Service trailhead descriptions and maps - Pagosa Springs/West Side trails

US Forest Service trailhead descriptions and maps - Rio Grande NF/East Side trails

For more in-depth information on peaks at summitpost, see these pages:

Summit Peak Page

Bennett Peak Page

Conejos Peak Page

"Montezuma Peak & "The Unicorn" Page


Access, Actitivies, Camping and Conditions

South Fork info: www.southforkcolorado.org

Del Norte info: www.slvguide.com/DelNorte/index.htm

Pagosa Springs info: www.pagosa.com

Parks and Camping:
South Fork Area

Del Norte Area

Pagosa Springs Area

Wilderness Info:
South San Juan Wilderness

Cumbres and Toltec Railroad
Perhaps the most popular tourist activity in the southern end of the range - Official Site

Weather and Conditions:
Current Conditions and Forecast

The South San Juan Range can melt out late, and Forest Roads may be closed into June.
Current Snowpack


Impassable snow on road to Treasure Creek, late May 2005



Children

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Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.

San Juan RangeAreas & Ranges