James Peak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Peak
James Peak at dawn viewed from Green Mountain in Boulder County.
Highest point
Elevation	13,294 ft (4,052 m)
Prominence	714 ft (218 m)
Isolation	1.55 mi (2.49 km)
Listing	Colorado county high points 27th
Naming
Etymology	Edwin James
Geography
James Peak Location in Colorado
Location	Continental Divide at the tripoint of Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Grand counties, Colorado, United States. High point of Gilpin County.
Parent range	Front Range
Topo map	USGS 7.5' topographic map Empire, Colorado

James Peak is a tall mountain in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. This peak is about 13,300 feet (4,054 meters) high. It is located on the Continental Divide. This is a line that separates rivers flowing to the Atlantic Ocean from those flowing to the Pacific Ocean.

James Peak is part of the James Peak Wilderness. This is a special protected area within the Arapaho National Forest and Roosevelt National Forest. The mountain is near the Town of Winter Park, Colorado, United States. The top of James Peak is a "tripoint." This means it is where three different counties meet: Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Grand counties. It is also the highest point in Gilpin County.

Who Was James Peak Named After?

James Peak is named after Dr. Edwin James. He was a botanist, which means he studied plants. Dr. James was part of an expedition led by Major Stephen H. Long in 1820.

Dr. James is famous for another reason too. He was the first person known to successfully climb Pikes Peak. This was a big achievement at the time!

Fun Activities on James Peak

James Peak is a popular spot for outdoor adventures.

Hiking and Exploring

The south side of James Peak has a wide, gentle slope. This makes it a great place for hikers to explore. Many people enjoy walking up this side of the mountain.

Climbing and Snow Sports

The east side of James Peak is very different. It has steep, rocky walls. These walls offer exciting challenges for experienced climbers. People who enjoy snow sports also come here. They use these routes for:

• Snow climbing
• Skiing
• Snowboarding

These challenging routes have cool names like 'Bailout', 'Starlight', Sky Pilot', 'Shooting Star', and 'Superstar'.