Never Summer Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Never Summer Mountains |
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Nokhu Crags, at the northern end of the Never Summer Mountains
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Richthofen |
| Elevation | 12,945 ft (3,946 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 10 mi (16 km) north-south |
| Area | 25 sq mi (65 km2) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| Range coordinates | 40°25′27″N 105°53′56″W / 40.42415°N 105.898903°W |
| Parent range | Front Range, Rocky Mountains |
The Never Summer Mountains are a mountain range found in the Rocky Mountains. They are located in north-central Colorado, in the United States. This range has seventeen named peaks.
These mountains sit along the northwest edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. They form part of the continental divide. This divide separates the water flowing to the Colorado River from water flowing to the North Platte River. The continental divide actually makes a loop through these mountains!
The Never Summer Mountains are not very wide, covering about 25 square miles (65 km²). They stretch about 10 miles (16 km) from north to south. Yet, many of their peaks rise over 12,000 feet (3,658 m) high. The range crosses the border between Jackson and Grand counties. At its northern end, it also reaches into Larimer County.
You can get amazing views of the range from Trail Ridge Road. This road is inside Rocky Mountain National Park. One of the northern peaks, Nokhu Crags, is easy to see. You can spot it from the west side of Cameron Pass.
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How the Mountains Were Formed
The rocks in the Never Summer Mountains are younger than those in many nearby ranges. These mountains, along with the Rabbit Ears Range, were created by volcanic activity. This happened about 24 to 29 million years ago. Most of the rocks are igneous, like granite.
The highest peak, Mount Richthofen, is what's left of an ancient volcanic plug. This means it was once the hardened lava core of a volcano. The Nokhu Crags in the north are made mostly of Pierre Shale. This rock formed during the Cretaceous Period.
Glaciers Carved the Peaks
About two million years ago, huge sheets of ice called glaciers began to shape these mountains. These glaciers carved out the sharp, jagged peaks you see today. This ice sculpting continued until about 12,000 years ago. That's when the last major ice age, called the Pinedale Glaciation, ended.
The peaks are huge, weathered granite rocks. They are covered with green and orange lichens. Large fields of loose rocks, called talus, surround them. Many beautiful alpine lakes are found among the peaks. At high altitudes, most plants are small and stunted. Few trees grow very tall, and many are Krummholz, which means they are twisted and short due to harsh winds.
History of the Never Summer Mountains
In 1879, people looking for valuable minerals found silver on Mount Shipler. This discovery started a small "mining rush." A town called Lulu City was quickly built. Other small settlements, like Dutchtown, also appeared.
At one point, as many as 5,000 miners and business owners lived in the area. However, the silver ore wasn't very rich. Also, it was hard to transport the ore, and there was no local place to process it. Because of these problems, the mining boom ended quickly. By late 1883, most miners had left. The last miners in Dutchtown were gone by 1884. Today, you can still find parts of these old towns and mines by hiking.
The Grand Ditch Project
In 1890, a big project called the Grand Ditch began. This ditch is 16.2 miles (26.1 km) long. It was built to move water from the mountains. Streams and creeks flowing from the highest peaks are sent into the ditch. The water then flows over La Poudre Pass. It goes into the Atlantic Basin to help farmers on the eastern plains. The ditch was not finished until 1936.
The Grand Ditch takes between 20% and 40% of the water from the Never Summer Mountains. This greatly affects the plants and animals in the valley below. In May 2003, a 100-foot (30 m) section of the ditch broke. Water rushed down the slopes and into the Colorado River. This flood left a clear scar on the mountainside.
How the Mountains Got Their Name
In 1914, members of the Arapaho tribe visited the region. They had grown up in the area. They were asked to share the Native American names for the peaks, lakes, and other features. They called the range Ni-chebe-chii. This name translates to Never No Summer. Over time, local people started calling them the Never Summer Mountains.
Many peaks in the range are named after types of clouds. For example, you'll find Mount Cirrus and Mount Cumulus.
Fun Things to Do
The Never Summer Mountains are a great place for outdoor activities. In summer, many people enjoy hiking and backpacking. In winter, it's popular for skiing and snowshoeing.
Some people try mountaineering here, but the rocks can be loose and dangerous. The Colorado River Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park has trails. These trails lead to the Grand Ditch and the remains of Lulu City. Trails from Cameron Pass take you to the Michigan Lakes, Lake Agnes, and the Nokhu Crags area. You can also find trails in the nearby Routt National Forest. These trails lead into the Never Summer Wilderness, on the western and southern sides of the range.
Mountain Peaks
- Baker Mountain
- Bald Mountain
- Bearpaws Peak
- Blue Ridge
- Bowen Mountain
- Braddock Peak
- Cascase Mountain
- Fairview Mountain
- Flat Top Mountain
- Gravel Mountain
- Green Knoll
- Howard Mountain
- Iron Mountain
- Jackstraw Mountain
- Lead Mountain
- Little Yellowstone
- Lulu Mountain
- Mineral Point
- Mount Cindy
- Mount Cirrus
- Mount Cumulus
- Mount Mahler
- Mount Nimbus
- Mount Neota
- Mount Richthofen
- Mount Stratus
- Never Summer Peak
- Nokhu Crags
- Parika Peak
- Porphyry Peak
- Radial Mountain
- Red Mountain
- Ruby Mountain
- Seven Utes Mountain
- Shipler Mountain
- Specimen Mountain
- Static Peak
- Teepee Mountain
- Thunder Mountain
