La Plata Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Plata Mountains |
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From the Mancos Valley Overlook in Mesa Verde National Park
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Hesperus Mountain |
| Elevation | 13,232 ft (4,033 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| Parent range | San Juan Mountains |
The La Plata Mountains are a small group of mountains in southwestern Colorado, United States. They are part of the larger San Juan Mountains. You can find them on the border between Montezuma and La Plata counties. They are about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Durango.
The name "La Plata" comes from the Spanish word for silver. This suggests that silver might have been found in the area.
About the La Plata Mountains
You can easily see the peaks of the La Plata Mountains from U.S. Route 160. This road runs along the southern edge of the mountain range.
Two important rivers, the La Plata River and the Mancos River, start in these mountains. Their "headwaters" are the small streams that flow down from the mountains and form the beginning of the rivers.
The Colorado Trail is a long hiking trail that goes through Colorado. Parts of this trail reach the northern peaks of the La Plata Mountains.
Hesperus Mountain
The most famous and tallest peak in the La Plata Mountains is Hesperus Mountain. This mountain is very special to the Navajo people. They consider it a sacred mountain of the north.
Tallest Peaks
Here are the six highest peaks in the La Plata Mountains:
- Hesperus Mountain, 13,232 ft (4,033 m)
- Lavender Peak, 13,228 ft (4,032 m)
- Mount Moss, 13,192 ft (4,021 m)
- Babcock Peak, 13,180 ft (4,017 m)
- Centennial Peak, 13,062 ft (3,981 m)
- Burwell Peak, 12,664 ft (3,860 m)
