Pigeon Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pigeon Peak |
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 Pigeon Peak
Location in Colorado
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,978 ft (4,260 m) |
| Prominence | 1,152 ft (351 m) |
| Isolation | 1.49 mi (2.40 km) |
| Geography | |
| Location | La Plata County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Parent range | San Juan Mountains, br/>Needle Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Snowdon Peak, Colorado |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Northwest slope: scramble, class 3 |
Pigeon Peak is a tall mountain in the Needle Mountains. This mountain range is part of the larger San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, U.S.. Pigeon Peak stands high on the east side of the Animas River. It is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Mount Eolus, which is a very famous "fourteener." A fourteener is a mountain that is over 14,000 feet (4,267 meters) tall.
Pigeon Peak is located in the Weminuche Wilderness. This wilderness area is part of the San Juan National Forest. The mountain is special because of how high it is and how much it rises from the land around it.
Why Pigeon Peak is Special
Pigeon Peak is one of the highest mountains in Colorado. It is the 57th tallest independent peak in the state. Even though it's not quite a "fourteener," it's still incredibly impressive!
This mountain rises very sharply from the ground. For example, from the Animas River to its west, Pigeon Peak climbs almost 6,000 feet (1,829 m) in less than 2.5 miles (4 km). Imagine climbing that high in such a short distance! Also, its east side has a huge cliff that is about 800 feet (244 m) tall.
Climbing Pigeon Peak
Climbing Pigeon Peak is an exciting adventure. Since it's not a "fourteener," fewer people try to climb it. This means the trails are often less crowded than those on nearby peaks like Mount Eolus, Windom Peak, and Sunlight Peak.
The usual way to climb Pigeon Peak is not super difficult. However, it is a long hike into the wilderness. Climbers often set up camp near Ruby Lake, which is north of the peak.
From Ruby Lake, the path goes up to a saddle (a low point between two peaks). This saddle is between Pigeon Peak and Turret Peak. Then, the route goes down a bit and around to the other side of Pigeon Peak. Finally, climbers go up the northwest slopes to reach the top. This part involves some "scrambling," which means using your hands and feet to climb over rocks.
