Elk Mountains (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elk Mountains |
|
|---|---|
a.jpg)
The Maroon Bells, Elk Mountains.
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Castle Peak |
| Elevation | 14,265 ft (4,348 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| Parent range | Rocky Mountains |
a.jpg)
The Elk Mountains are a tall, rocky mountain range. They are part of the larger Rocky Mountains in west-central Colorado, United States. These mountains are on the western side of the Continental Divide. This is an imaginary line where water flows either to the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean.
Most of the Elk Mountains are in Pitkin and Gunnison counties. They are southwest of Aspen. The Roaring Fork River valley is to the north, and the Crystal River is to the east. The Sawatch Range is to the west, and the West Elk Mountains are to the northeast.
Much of this range is protected land. It includes parts of the White River National Forest and the Gunnison National Forest. It also has the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and Raggeds Wilderness. The Elk Mountains rise almost 9,000 feet above the Roaring Fork Valley.
Contents
Tallest Peaks in the Elk Mountains
The highest mountains in the Elk Mountains are called "fourteeners." This means they are over 14,000 feet tall. The tallest peak is Castle Peak, at 14,265 feet. Other famous fourteeners include Maroon Peak (14,156 feet) and Capitol Peak (14,130 feet).
Snowmass Mountain (14,092 feet) and Pyramid Peak (14,018 feet) are also very tall. North Maroon Peak (14,014 feet) is another high point. Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak are together known as the Maroon Bells. This area is very popular for mountain climbing and outdoor fun.
Mount Sopris is another important mountain. It is 12,953 feet tall. It sits at the northwest end of the range. This mountain is a well-known symbol for the town of Carbondale, Colorado.
Other Notable Mountains
Besides the fourteeners, many other peaks are part of the Elk Mountains.
- Cathedral Peak is 13,943 feet tall. It is close to Pyramid Peak.
- Hagerman Peak is 13,841 feet high. It is near Snowmass Mountain.
- Snowmass Peak reaches 13,620 feet. It is close to Hagerman Peak.
- Clark Peak is 13,580 feet tall. It is near Capitol Peak.
- Treasure Mountain is 13,528 feet high. It is southwest of the Maroon Bells.
- Mount Owen is 13,058 feet tall. It is the highest point of the Ruby Range.
- Mount Sopris is 12,965 feet high. It is northwest of Capitol Peak.
- Chair Mountain is 12,721 feet tall. It is the highest point of The Raggeds.
- Crested Butte is 12,162 feet high. It is home to the Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
- Whitehouse Mountain is 11,975 feet tall. It is northwest of Treasure Mountain.
Exploring the Elk Mountains
The Elk Mountains are a tough barrier to cross. You can only travel through them using special backroads and trails. Some of these include Schofield Pass, Pearl Pass, and Taylor Pass. State Highway 133 goes through McClure Pass at the western end of the range.
Mining History
People have been mining in these mountains for a long time. During the Colorado Silver Boom, towns like Aspen and Ashcroft were founded. In the late 1800s, people started mining for coal on the western and southern sides of the range. This coal mining still happens today.
Treasure Mountain is famous for its Yule Marble Quarry. This quarry is near the town of Marble. The marble from here was used to build important structures. These include the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Lincoln Memorial.
Snow and Skiing
The Elk Mountains get a lot of snow. This is because they are west of the Continental Divide. Many winter storms come from the west, bringing heavy snowfall. This deep snow is great for skiing. There are several ski areas near Aspen that use the snowy slopes of the smaller mountains in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Images for kids
-
The Maroon Bells, Elk Mountains.
-
Sievers Mountain, near Maroon Bells
-
Maroon Lake, Elk Mountains.
See also
In Spanish: Montañas Elk (Colorado) para niños
