East Spanish Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Spanish Peak |
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East (left) and West (right) Spanish Peaks
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 12,688 ft (3,867 m) |
| Prominence | 2,383 ft (726 m) |
| Isolation | 4.21 mi (6.78 km) |
| Parent peak | West Spanish Peak |
| Listing | Colorado prominent summits |
| Geography | |
 East Spanish Peak
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Huerfano and Las Animas counties, Colorado, United States |
| Parent range | Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Spanish Peaks |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Spanish Peaks, Colorado |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | West Ridge: hike/scramble class 2 |
East Spanish Peak is a well-known mountain peak in the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is one of the two Spanish Peaks, which are famous landmarks in Colorado. This peak stands at about 12,688 feet (3,867 meters) tall.
You can find East Spanish Peak in the Spanish Peaks Wilderness. This area is part of the San Isabel National Forest. The mountain is located southeast of the Town of La Veta, Colorado, in the United States. It sits right on the border between Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
The Spanish Peaks are actually two huge rock formations. They are like a special part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. East Spanish Peak is quite special because it is higher than any other point in the United States that is east of its location. It's also the easternmost spot in the U.S. that is over 12,000, 11,000, or 10,000 feet above sea level!
How East Spanish Peak Formed
East Spanish Peak was created by a process called igneous intrusion. This means that hot, melted rock, called magma, pushed up from deep inside the Earth. This happened about 23 million years ago.
The magma cooled and hardened underground, forming a large body of rock. Over millions of years, the softer rock around it wore away due to erosion. This left the harder, more resistant rock of East Spanish Peak standing tall.
The peak is made of different types of rock. The very center is a type of granite, while the outer parts are made of granodiorite. It's like the mountain has different layers of rock from when it was formed.
Exploring East Spanish Peak
Many people enjoy hiking and climbing East Spanish Peak. The most common way to reach the top is by following a path along the mountain's west ridge. This ridge connects East Spanish Peak to its taller neighbor, West Spanish Peak.
To start this adventure, hikers usually follow a trail that goes up to the saddle. The saddle is the low point between the two peaks. This trail begins on the north side of the mountains. It's a great way to experience the beauty of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness.
