Hiking Stewart Peak in Colorado: A Great San Juan 13er
- Alex Derr
- March 14, 2021
- 1:04 am
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This area is increasingly popular and experiencing heavy impacts from public use. Please stay on the designated trail, pack out trash, practice good trail etiquette, and leave pets at home. Click here to learn more.
Stewart Peak is one of the centennial thirteeners – the tallest 100 summits in the state. It’s also a great southern climb in the San Juan mountains for anyone looking for a quiet class 2 route. It’s located near San Luis Peak, so you can climb both peaks over the course of a weekend to get the most out of your time in the area. Here’s my advice and route info for hiking Stewart Peak, a fantastic Colorado thirteener.
NEW TO 13ERS? CHECK OUT MY BEGINNERS GUIDE FOR A SAFE FIRST SUMMIT!
Climbing Stewart Peak: Facts Facts
- Standard Route: East Ridge
- Trailhead: Nutras Creek
- Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
- Round-Trip Distance: 8.25 Miles
- Difficulty Level: Class 2 Scramble
- Range: San Juan Range
Hiking Stewart Peak - East Ridge Route
Remember Mountain Safety Best Practices!
14ers can be dangerous due to altitude sickness, lightning, variable weather conditions, loose rock, and exposure. If you are new to hiking and climbing 14ers, click here and take a minute to review our safety tips and advice.
The trailhead is little more than a small dirt parking lot off the road at a bend. From the corner of the road, walk west into the unmarked trailhead and locate a trail beyond the final parking spots. It is very faint. Follow it southwest. It can be hard to follow at times, but you can find it if you lose it if you keep following the creek.
2 miles into your hike the trail becomes even harder to follow. Reach a creek coming from the north, turn right and walk around 150 feet, before crossing it to the west. Continue along Nutras Creek.
Next you’ll come to a small boulder field. Follow a faint trail through the rocks to the other side. Continue along the creek until you reach an elevation of around 11,800 feet. This is a good time to stop for a quick snack before you start your climb in earnest.
You now need to reach the east ridge of Stewart Peak, the large mountain rising above you. Turn right from the creek and begin to climb up the steep slope through some trees and bristlecone pines. Keep moving northwest until you reach the ridge proper, above 12,300 feet.
Once on the ridge, stop to check the weather conditions before you continue to the summit. You still have more than 1,600 feet of elevation gain to go. The route from here out is pretty obvious. You need to veer left to avoid one rugged section around 13,100 feet, before you regain the ridge proper. Climb through some final rocky sections before you reach a final easy slope bringing you to the summit of Stewart Peak.
From the top of the mountain, enjoy the views and your accomplishment! Be sure you descend with plenty of time to reach tree line before afternoon thunderstorms become a significant hazard. I hope you found my route guide helpful and informative for hiking Stewart Peak. Safe travels on the trail!
If you plan on hiking Stewart Peak, it’s important to ensure you have a good topographical map to research in advance and to bring with you on the day of your ascent.
I recommend keeping a GPS version of the map on your phone while climbing Eagles Nest in Colorado, and also printing out a paper backup copy in case anything happens to your electronics or your battery dies along the way.
You should always check the weather before hiking Stewart Peak. The forecast can change over time, so it’s a good idea to check it several times in the week leading up to your climb.
Remember – if poor weather is expected, consider postponing. The mountain will still be there next week, month or year. Safe travels on the trail!
Hiking Stewart Peak in Colorado is an inherently high-risk activity – use my route guide at your own risk, and use the following best practices to help keep yourself safe.
- Bring the Ten Essentials and the knowledge/skill to use them.
- Leave your plans with someone back home along with a detailed itinerary.
- Start early, and end early: Be back at tree line by noon to avoid lightning.
- Check the weather forecast and stay home during inclement weather.
- Research your route and bring a compass & topographic map.
NEW TO 13ERS? CHECK OUT MY BEGINNERS GUIDE FOR A SAFE FIRST SUMMIT!
Hiking Stewart Peak in Colorado and other high peaks is an inherently high-risk, dangerous activity. There is a significant risk of injury or death, even with proper planning and experience. Those using my Route Guide for hiking Stewart Peak in Colorado accept all risks associated with climbing 14ers and do not hold this website or any information they obtain from it liable for any accidents or injuries that occur while engaging in these activities on Colorado’s high peaks. It is each hiker or climber’s responsibility to research their route carefully, bring the ten essentials, and practice other safe practices, though even these precautions do not eliminate risk and danger. Visit these summits at your own risk.
Alex is an Eagle Scout, climber, and environmental policy expert located in Denver, Colorado. He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. Follow him on Linkedin or Twitter or click here to contact him.
