Hesperus Mountain (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hesperus Mountain |
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| Dibé Ntsaa | |
Hesperus Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,237 ft (4,035 m) |
| Prominence | 2,852 ft (869 m) |
| Isolation | 24.53 mi (39.48 km) |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
 Hesperus Mountain
Location in Colorado
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| Location | High point of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States |
| Parent range | Highest summit of the La Plata Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map La Plata, Colorado |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Hesperus Mountain is a very tall peak in the Rocky Mountains of North America. In the Navajo language, it is called Dibé Ntsaa. It is the highest point in the La Plata Mountains range.
This mountain stands at about 13,237 feet (4,035 meters) high. It is located in the San Juan National Forest in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. Hesperus Mountain is also the highest point in Montezuma County. It is about 21.2 kilometers (13.2 miles) northeast of the Town of Mancos.
About the Mountain
Even though Hesperus Mountain is not the highest peak in its region, it looks very impressive. This is because it is close to the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains. It rises more than 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) above the land around it. This makes it stand out a lot.
Sacred Mountain
Hesperus Mountain is very important to the Navajo People. They consider it their Sacred Mountain of the North. They call it Dibé Ntsaa. This mountain marks the northern border of the Dinétah, which is their traditional homeland.
The Navajo people believe this mountain is linked to the color black. They also say it contains jet, which is a type of black stone. According to their stories, a figure called First Man created the mountain. He made it to look like mountains from the Fourth World. He then used a rainbow to hold it firmly to the ground and covered it in darkness.
The San Juan Mountains, where Hesperus Mountain is located, have also been the traditional home of the Ute people. Both the Ute and Navajo people have lived on and near Hesperus Mountain and the La Plata Mountain Range for a long time.
