Southern Rocky Mountains facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Southern Rocky Mountains
Sneffels Range in Colorado.
Highest point
Peak	Mount Elbert
Elevation	14,440 ft (4,400 m)
Geography
Country	United States
Parent range	Rocky Mountains

Satellite photo of the Southern Rocky Mountains in the United States.

The Southern Rocky Mountains are a big part of the Rocky Mountains in North America. You can find them in parts of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. People often call them the Southern Rockies. Since many of the tallest peaks are in Colorado, they are sometimes known as the Colorado Rockies.

This area has the highest mountain ranges in all the Rocky Mountains. It's home to all 30 of the very tallest peaks in the Rockies!

The Southern Rocky Mountains are separated from the Western Rocky Mountains by the Green River and the Colorado River. To the north, they are separated from the Central Rocky Mountains by South Pass in Wyoming. This pass was a very important route for early settlers. Trails like the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, and the California Trail used this low point to cross the mountains. The southern end of the Rocky Mountains is in New Mexico, including the Jemez Mountains and the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

When we talk about mountain heights, we use special terms. A "significant summit" means a peak that rises at least 100 meters (about 328 feet) above the land around it. A "major summit" rises at least 500 meters (about 1,640 feet). An "ultra-prominent summit" is super tall, rising at least 1,500 meters (about 4,921 feet) above its surroundings.

All the heights mentioned here have been updated to the latest measurement system, called North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).

Mountain Ranges: Giants of the Rockies
Mountain Peaks: Reaching for the Sky
Mountain Passes: Roads Through the Peaks

Mountain Ranges: Giants of the Rockies

This section lists the main mountain ranges and smaller groups of mountains in the Southern Rocky Mountains. It also shows their highest peaks.

Mountain Ranges of the Southern Rocky Mountains
Mountain range				Highest summit
primary	secondary	tertiary	States	Summit name	Elevation	Prominence	Isolation
Sawatch Range	Central Sawatch Range	Elbert Massif	Colorado	Mount Elbert	&1000000000000440119999914,440 ft 4401 m	&100000000000027715500009,093 ft 2772 m	&10000000001079160000000671 mi 1,079 km
		Massive Massif		Mount Massive	&1000000000000439760999914,428 ft 4398 m	&100000000000005977100001,961 ft 598 m	&100000000000081500000005.06 mi 8.15 km
		Collegiate Peaks		Mount Harvard	&1000000000000439560000014,421 ft 4396 m	&100000000000007092699992,327 ft 709 m	&1000000000002401000000014.92 mi 24.0 km
		Williams Mountains		Bill Williams Peak	&1000000000000408088000013,389 ft 4081 m	&100000000000005126699991,682 ft 513 m	&100000000000060000000003.73 mi 6.00 km
	Southern Sawatch Range			Mount Antero	&1000000000000435139999914,276 ft 4351 m	&100000000000007629099992,503 ft 763 m	&1000000000002856000000017.75 mi 28.6 km
	Southern Sawatch Range	Far Southern Sawatch Range		Mount Ouray	&1000000000000425539999913,961 ft 4255 m	&100000000000008104600002,659 ft 810 m	&1000000000002186000000013.58 mi 21.9 km
	Northern Sawatch Range			Mount of the Holy Cross	&1000000000000427050000014,011 ft 4271 m	&100000000000006434299992,111 ft 643 m	&1000000000002981000000018.52 mi 29.8 km
Sangre de Cristo Mountains	Sierra Blanca Massif			Blanca Peak	&1000000000000437593999914,357 ft 4376 m	&100000000000016233599995,326 ft 1623 m	&10000000000166360000000103.4 mi 166.4 km
	Northern Sangre de Cristo Range	Crestones		Crestone Peak	&1000000000000435856999914,300 ft 4359 m	&100000000000013880599994,554 ft 1388 m	&1000000000004407000000027.4 mi 44.1 km
	Northern Sangre de Cristo Range			Rito Alto Peak	&1000000000000420622000013,800 ft 4206 m	&100000000000003456399991,134 ft 346 m	&100000000000117100000007.28 mi 11.71 km
	Culebra Range		Colorado & New Mexico	Culebra Peak	&1000000000000428327000014,053 ft 4283 m	&100000000000014712699994,827 ft 1471 m	&1000000000005707000000035.5 mi 57.1 km
	Culebra Range	Spanish Peaks	Colorado	West Spanish Peak	&1000000000000415467000013,631 ft 4155 m	&100000000000011234900003,686 ft 1123 m	&1000000000003288000000020.4 mi 32.9 km
	Taos Mountains		New Mexico	Wheeler Peak	&1000000000000401330000013,167 ft 4013 m	&100000000000010390599993,409 ft 1039 m	&1000000000006012000000037.4 mi 60.1 km
	Santa Fe Mountains			Truchas Peak	&1000000000000399519999913,108 ft 3995 m	&100000000000012195000004,001 ft 1220 m	&1000000000006817000000042.4 mi 68.2 km
	Cimarron Range, Colorado			Baldy Mountain	&1000000000000379330000012,445 ft 3793 m	&100000000000008232599992,701 ft 823 m	&1000000000001824000000011.33 mi 18.24 km
	Wet Mountains		Colorado	Greenhorn Mountain	&1000000000000376500000012,352 ft 3765 m	&100000000000011512300003,777 ft 1151 m	&1000000000004116000000025.6 mi 41.2 km
	Southern Sangre de Cristo Range		New Mexico	Cerro Vista	&1000000000000363830000011,937 ft 3638 m	&100000000000007677899992,519 ft 768 m	&1000000000002283000000014.19 mi 22.8 km
San Juan Mountains	North Central San Juan Mountains		Colorado	Uncompahgre Peak	&1000000000000436500000014,321 ft 4365 m	&100000000000013036300004,277 ft 1304 m	&1000000000013689000000085.1 mi 136.9 km
	San Miguel Mountains			Mount Wilson	&1000000000000434407999914,252 ft 4344 m	&100000000000012265199994,024 ft 1227 m	&1000000000005321000000033.1 mi 53.2 km
	Sneffels Range			Mount Sneffels	&1000000000000431539999914,158 ft 4315 m	&100000000000009296399993,050 ft 930 m	&1000000000002532000000015.73 mi 25.3 km
	Needle Mountains			Mount Eolus	&1000000000000429425000014,089 ft 4294 m	&100000000000006653799992,183 ft 665 m	&1000000000002516000000015.63 mi 25.2 km
		Grenadier Range		Vestal Peak	&1000000000000422752999913,870 ft 4228 m	&100000000000003426000001,124 ft 343 m	&100000000000069100000004.29 mi 6.91 km
		West Needle Mountains		Twilight Peak	&1000000000000401209999913,163 ft 4012 m	&100000000000007126200002,338 ft 713 m	&100000000000078600000004.88 mi 7.86 km
	La Garita Mountains			San Luis Peak	&1000000000000427380000014,022 ft 4274 m	&100000000000009488400003,113 ft 949 m	&1000000000004341000000027.0 mi 43.4 km
	La Garita Mountains	Cochetopa Hills		Long Branch Baldy	&100000000000036521999993652 m 11,982 ft	&10000000000000449279999449 m 1,474 ft	&1000000000002235000000022.4 km 13.89 mi
	East Central San Juan Mountains			Half Peak	&1000000000000422072999913,848 ft 4221 m	&100000000000004575000001,501 ft 458 m	&100000000000062600000003.89 mi 6.26 km
	Southern San Juan Mountains			Summit Peak	&1000000000000405619999913,308 ft 4056 m	&100000000000008412500002,760 ft 841 m	&1000000000006423000000039.9 mi 64.2 km
	La Plata Mountains			Hesperus Mountain	&1000000000000403476000013,237 ft 4035 m	&100000000000008692899992,852 ft 869 m	&1000000000003992000000024.8 mi 39.9 km
	Tusas Mountains		New Mexico	Grouse Mesa	&1000000000000347786999911,410 ft 3478 m	&100000000000004221499991,385 ft 422 m	&1000000000003043000000018.91 mi 30.4 km
Mosquito Range			Colorado	Mount Lincoln	&1000000000000435650000014,293 ft 4357 m	&100000000000011771400003,862 ft 1177 m	&1000000000003631000000022.6 mi 36.3 km
Mosquito Range	Tenmile Range			Quandary Peak	&1000000000000434989999914,271 ft 4350 m	&100000000000003428999991,125 ft 343 m	&100000000000050900000003.16 mi 5.09 km
Front Range	Central Front Range			Grays Peak	&1000000000000435200000014,278 ft 4352 m	&100000000000008442999992,770 ft 844 m	&1000000000004027000000025.0 mi 40.3 km
	Central Front Range	Mount Evans Massif		Mount Evans	&1000000000000434800000014,265 ft 4348 m	&100000000000008439900002,769 ft 844 m	&100000000000157600000009.79 mi 15.76 km
	Northern Front Range	Longs Peak Massif		Longs Peak	&1000000000000434600000014,259 ft 4346 m	&100000000000008961100002,940 ft 896 m	&1000000000007019000000043.6 mi 70.2 km
		Mummy Range		Hagues Peak	&1000000000000413700000013,573 ft 4137 m	&100000000000007376200002,420 ft 738 m	&1000000000002562000000015.92 mi 25.6 km
		Indian Peaks		North Arapaho Peak	&1000000000000411717000013,508 ft 4117 m	&100000000000005074900001,665 ft 507 m	&1000000000002478000000015.40 mi 24.8 km
		Never Summer Mountains		Mount Richthofen	&1000000000000394576999912,945 ft 3946 m	&100000000000008168600002,680 ft 817 m	&100000000000155400000009.66 mi 15.54 km
	Southern Front Range	Pikes Peak Massif		Pikes Peak	&1000000000000430231000014,115 ft 4302 m	&100000000000016855399995,530 ft 1686 m	&1000000000009782000000060.8 mi 97.8 km
		South Park Hills		Waugh Mountain	&1000000000000357090999911,716 ft 3571 m	&100000000000007101799992,330 ft 710 m	&1000000000003222000000020.0 mi 32.2 km
		Rampart Range		Devils Head	&100000000000029715999999,749 ft 2972 m	&100000000000003803899991,248 ft 380 m	&100000000000128600000007.99 mi 12.86 km
		South Williams Fork Mountains		Ptarmigan Peak	&1000000000000381117999912,504 ft 3811 m	&10000000000000219759999721 ft 220 m	&100000000000069200000004.30 mi 6.92 km
		Tarryall Mountains		Bison Peak	&1000000000000378940000012,432 ft 3789 m	&100000000000007470599992,451 ft 747 m	&1000000000002951000000018.34 mi 29.5 km
		Kenosha Mountains		Knobby Crest	&1000000000000378994999912,434 ft 3790 m	&100000000000005361399991,759 ft 536 m	&100000000000133100000008.27 mi 13.31 km
Elk Mountains				Castle Peak	&1000000000000435219999914,279 ft 4352 m	&100000000000007208500002,365 ft 721 m	&1000000000003371000000020.9 mi 33.7 km
	Ruby Range			Mount Owen	&1000000000000398380000013,070 ft 3984 m	&100000000000004139200001,358 ft 414 m	&100000000000119000000007.39 mi 11.90 km
	West Elk Mountains			West Elk Peak	&1000000000000397519999913,042 ft 3975 m	&100000000000009433600003,095 ft 943 m	&1000000000002218000000013.78 mi 22.2 km
Gore Range				Mount Powell	&1000000000000414096000013,586 ft 4141 m	&100000000000009143999993,000 ft 914 m	&1000000000003475000000021.6 mi 34.8 km
Medicine Bow Mountains			Colorado & Wyoming	Clark Peak	&1000000000000394840000012,954 ft 3948 m	&100000000000008446000002,771 ft 845 m	&1000000000002684000000016.68 mi 26.8 km
Medicine Bow Mountains	Snowy Range		Wyoming	Medicine Bow Peak	&1000000000000366240000012,016 ft 3662 m	&100000000000009884700003,243 ft 988 m	&1000000000006553000000040.7 mi 65.5 km
La Sal Mountains			Utah	Mount Peale	&1000000000000387900000012,726 ft 3879 m	&100000000000018839700006,181 ft 1884 m	&1000000000011777000000073.2 mi 117.8 km
Flat Tops (Colorado)			Colorado	Flat Top Mountain	&1000000000000376769999912,361 ft 3768 m	&100000000000012356600004,054 ft 1236 m	&1000000000006891000000042.8 mi 68.9 km
Rabbit Ears Range				Parkview Mountain	&1000000000000374940000012,301 ft 3749 m	&100000000000008156399992,676 ft 816 m	&1000000000001756000000010.91 mi 17.56 km
Park Range	Central Park Range			Mount Zirkel	&1000000000000371409999912,185 ft 3714 m	&100000000000010576600003,470 ft 1058 m	&1000000000006125000000038.1 mi 61.3 km
Park Range	Elkhead Mountains			Sand Mountain North	&1000000000000331742999910,884 ft 3317 m	&100000000000006650700002,182 ft 665 m	&1000000000001817000000011.29 mi 18.17 km
White River Plateau				Blair Mountain	&1000000000000349457000011,465 ft 3495 m	&100000000000005291299991,736 ft 529 m	&1000000000002819000000017.52 mi 28.2 km
Grand Mesa				Crater Peak	&1000000000000345419999911,333 ft 3454 m	&100000000000007031699992,307 ft 703 m	&1000000000002895000000017.99 mi 29.0 km
Laramie Mountains			Colorado & Wyoming	South Bald Mountain	&1000000000000335500000011,007 ft 3355 m	&100000000000005678400001,863 ft 568 m	&1000000000002199000000013.66 mi 22.0 km
Uncompahgre Plateau			Colorado & Utah	Horsefly Peak	&1000000000000315569999910,353 ft 3156 m	&100000000000004380000001,437 ft 438 m	&1000000000002135000000013.27 mi 21.4 km
Ute Mountain			Colorado	Ute Peak	&100000000000030430000009,984 ft 3043 m	&100000000000012310899994,039 ft 1231 m	&1000000000006285000000039.1 mi 62.9 km
Raton Mesa			Colorado & New Mexico	Fishers Peak	&100000000000029361999999,633 ft 2936 m	&100000000000005629700001,847 ft 563 m	&1000000000005216000000032.4 mi 52.2 km

Mountain Peaks: Reaching for the Sky

Highest Summits: The Tallest Mountains

This table lists the 57 tallest peaks in the Southern Rocky Mountains. These peaks are at least 4,000 meters (about 13,123 feet) high. They also rise at least 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) above the land around them.

The 57 mountain peaks of the Southern Rocky Mountains with at least 4000 meters of
topographic elevation and 500 meters of topographic prominence
Rank	Mountain Peak	State	Mountain Range	Elevation	Prominence	Isolation
1	Mount Elbert	Colorado	Sawatch Range	&1000000000000440119999914,440 ft 4401 m	&100000000000027715500009,093 ft 2772 m	&10000000001079160000000671 mi 1,079 km
2	Mount Massive		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000439760999914,428 ft 4398 m	&100000000000005977100001,961 ft 598 m	&100000000000081500000005.06 mi 8.15 km
3	Mount Harvard		Collegiate Peaks	&1000000000000439560000014,421 ft 4396 m	&100000000000007092699992,327 ft 709 m	&1000000000002401000000014.92 mi 24.0 km
4	Blanca Peak		Sierra Blanca	&1000000000000437593999914,357 ft 4376 m	&100000000000016233599995,326 ft 1623 m	&10000000000166360000000103.4 mi 166.4 km
5	La Plata Peak		Collegiate Peaks	&1000000000000437169999914,343 ft 4372 m	&100000000000005611369991,841 ft 561 m	&100000000000101000000006.28 mi 10.10 km
6	Uncompahgre Peak		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000436500000014,321 ft 4365 m	&100000000000013036300004,277 ft 1304 m	&1000000000013689000000085.1 mi 136.9 km
7	Crestone Peak		Crestones	&1000000000000435856999914,300 ft 4359 m	&100000000000013880599994,554 ft 1388 m	&1000000000004407000000027.4 mi 44.1 km
8	Mount Lincoln		Mosquito Range	&1000000000000435650000014,293 ft 4357 m	&100000000000011771400003,862 ft 1177 m	&1000000000003631000000022.6 mi 36.3 km
9	Castle Peak		Elk Mountains	&1000000000000435219999914,279 ft 4352 m	&100000000000007208500002,365 ft 721 m	&1000000000003371000000020.9 mi 33.7 km
10	Grays Peak		Front Range	&1000000000000435200000014,278 ft 4352 m	&100000000000008442999992,770 ft 844 m	&1000000000004027000000025.0 mi 40.3 km
11	Mount Antero		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000435139999914,276 ft 4351 m	&100000000000007629099992,503 ft 763 m	&1000000000002856000000017.75 mi 28.6 km
12	Mount Evans		Front Range	&1000000000000434980000014,271 ft 4350 m	&100000000000008439900002,769 ft 844 m	&100000000000157600000009.79 mi 15.76 km
13	Longs Peak		Front Range	&1000000000000434600000014,259 ft 4346 m	&100000000000008961100002,940 ft 896 m	&1000000000007019000000043.6 mi 70.2 km
14	Mount Wilson		San Miguel Mountains PB	&1000000000000434407999914,252 ft 4344 m	&100000000000012265199994,024 ft 1227 m	&1000000000005321000000033.1 mi 53.2 km
15	Mount Princeton NGS		Collegiate Peaks	&1000000000000432930000014,204 ft 4329 m	&100000000000006635499992,177 ft 664 m	&100000000000083600000005.19 mi 8.36 km
16	Mount Yale NGS		Collegiate Peaks	&1000000000000432881000014,202 ft 4329 m	&100000000000005718049991,876 ft 572 m	&100000000000089300000005.55 mi 8.93 km
17	Maroon Peak NGS		Elk Mountains	&1000000000000431700000014,163 ft 4317 m	&100000000000007120130002,336 ft 712 m	&100000000000129700000008.06 mi 12.97 km
18	Mount Sneffels		Sneffels Range PB	&1000000000000431539999914,158 ft 4315 m	&100000000000009296399993,050 ft 930 m	&1000000000002532000000015.73 mi 25.3 km
19	Capitol Peak		Elk Mountains	&1000000000000430881599914,137 ft 4309 m	&100000000000005273039991,730 ft 527 m	&100000000000119800000007.44 mi 11.98 km
20	Pikes Peak		Pikes Peak Massif	&1000000000000430231000014,115 ft 4302 m	&100000000000016855399995,530 ft 1686 m	&1000000000009782000000060.8 mi 97.8 km
21	Mount Eolus		Needle Mountains	&1000000000000429425000014,089 ft 4294 m	&100000000000006653799992,183 ft 665 m	&1000000000002516000000015.63 mi 25.2 km
22	Handies Peak NGS		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000428480000014,058 ft 4285 m	&100000000000005754619991,888 ft 575 m	&1000000000001800000000011.18 mi 18.00 km
23	Culebra Peak		Culebra Range	&1000000000000428327000014,053 ft 4283 m	&100000000000014712699994,827 ft 1471 m	&1000000000005707000000035.5 mi 57.1 km
24	San Luis Peak		La Garita Mountains PB	&1000000000000427380000014,022 ft 4274 m	&100000000000009488400003,113 ft 949 m	&1000000000004341000000027.0 mi 43.4 km
25	Mount of the Holy Cross		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000427050000014,011 ft 4271 m	&100000000000006434299992,111 ft 643 m	&1000000000002981000000018.52 mi 29.8 km
26	Grizzly Peak NGS		Collegiate Peaks	&1000000000000426560000013,995 ft 4266 m	&100000000000005815579991,908 ft 582 m	&100000000000108900000006.77 mi 10.89 km
27	Mount Ouray		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000425539999913,961 ft 4255 m	&100000000000008104600002,659 ft 810 m	&1000000000002186000000013.58 mi 21.9 km
28	Vermilion Peak PB		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000423671900013,900 ft 4237 m	&100000000000006416040002,105 ft 642 m	&100000000000146000000009.07 mi 14.60 km
29	Mount Silverheels NGS PB		Front Range	&1000000000000421500000013,829 ft 4215 m	&100000000000006958579992,283 ft 696 m	&100000000000088200000005.48 mi 8.82 km
30	Rio Grande Pyramid NGS PB		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000421439999913,827 ft 4214 m	&100000000000005672329991,861 ft 567 m	&1000000000001731000000010.76 mi 17.31 km
31	Bald Mountain PB		Front Range	&1000000000000417280500013,690 ft 4173 m	&100000000000006397749992,099 ft 640 m	&100000000000120900000007.51 mi 12.09 km
32	Mount Oso		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000417265899913,690 ft 4173 m	&100000000000005071870001,664 ft 507 m	&100000000000088100000005.47 mi 8.81 km
33	Mount Jackson PB		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000416853799913,676 ft 4169 m	&100000000000005516879991,810 ft 552 m	&100000000000051600000003.21 mi 5.16 km
34	Bard Peak PB		Front Range	&1000000000000415948400013,647 ft 4159 m	&100000000000005184650001,701 ft 518 m	&100000000000087400000005.43 mi 8.74 km
35	Peak 10 PB		Tenmile Range	&1000000000000415735400013,640 ft 4157 m	&100000000000005361430001,759 ft 536 m	&100000000000014000000000.87 mi 1.40 km
36	West Spanish Peak		Spanish Peaks	&1000000000000415467000013,631 ft 4155 m	&100000000000011234900003,686 ft 1123 m	&1000000000003288000000020.4 mi 32.9 km
37	Mount Powell		Gore Range	&1000000000000414096000013,586 ft 4141 m	&100000000000009143999993,000 ft 914 m	&1000000000003475000000021.6 mi 34.8 km
38	Hagues Peak		Mummy Range	&1000000000000413700000013,573 ft 4137 m	&100000000000007376200002,420 ft 738 m	&1000000000002562000000015.92 mi 25.6 km
39	Tower Mountain PB		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000413244599913,558 ft 4132 m	&100000000000005035299991,652 ft 504 m	&100000000000086200000005.36 mi 8.62 km
40	Treasure Mountain PB		Elk Mountains	&1000000000000412534199913,535 ft 4125 m	&100000000000008598410002,821 ft 860 m	&100000000000111300000006.92 mi 11.13 km
41	North Arapaho Peak		Indian Peaks PB	&1000000000000411717000013,508 ft 4117 m	&100000000000005074900001,665 ft 507 m	&1000000000002478000000015.40 mi 24.8 km
42	Parry Peak		Front Range	&1000000000000408334000013,397 ft 4083 m	&100000000000005276090001,731 ft 528 m	&100000000000152200000009.46 mi 15.22 km
43	Bill Williams Peak		Williams Mountains PB	&1000000000000408088000013,389 ft 4081 m	&100000000000005126699991,682 ft 513 m	&100000000000060000000003.73 mi 6.00 km
44	Sultan Mountain PB		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000407621500013,373 ft 4076 m	&100000000000005693659991,868 ft 569 m	&100000000000073900000004.59 mi 7.39 km
45	West Buffalo Peak PB		Mosquito Range	&1000000000000406360100013,332 ft 4064 m	&100000000000006053329991,986 ft 605 m	&1000000000001638000000010.18 mi 16.38 km
46	Mount Herard PB		Sangre de Cristo Range	&1000000000000406157600013,325 ft 4062 m	&100000000000006217920002,040 ft 622 m	&100000000000074700000004.64 mi 7.47 km
47	Summit Peak		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000405619999913,308 ft 4056 m	&100000000000008412500002,760 ft 841 m	&1000000000006423000000039.9 mi 64.2 km
48	Dolores Peak PB		San Miguel Mountains PB	&1000000000000405259200013,296 ft 4053 m	&100000000000005943600001,950 ft 594 m	&100000000000080200000004.98 mi 8.02 km
49	Antora Peak PB		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000404627399913,275 ft 4046 m	&100000000000007342630002,409 ft 734 m	&100000000000108600000006.75 mi 10.86 km
50	Henry Mountain PB		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000404203699913,261 ft 4042 m	&100000000000005102350001,674 ft 510 m	&1000000000001855000000011.53 mi 18.55 km
51	Lavender Peak PB		La Plata Mountains	&1000000000000403719799913,245 ft 4037 m	&100000000000008717279992,860 ft 872 m	&1000000000003991000000024.8 mi 39.9 km
52	Jacque Peak PB		Gore Range	&1000000000000402675000013,211 ft 4027 m	&100000000000006294120002,065 ft 629 m	&100000000000072800000004.52 mi 7.28 km
53	Bennett Peak PB		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000402605699913,209 ft 4026 m	&100000000000005312659991,743 ft 531 m	&1000000000002752000000017.10 mi 27.5 km
54	Conejos Peak NGS PB		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000401700000013,179 ft 4017 m	&100000000000005827780001,912 ft 583 m	&100000000000131200000008.15 mi 13.12 km
55	Wheeler Peak	New Mexico	Taos Mountains	&1000000000000401330000013,167 ft 4013 m	&100000000000010390599993,409 ft 1039 m	&1000000000006012000000037.4 mi 60.1 km
56	Twilight Peak	Colorado	West Needle Mountains PB	&1000000000000401209999913,163 ft 4012 m	&100000000000007126200002,338 ft 713 m	&100000000000078600000004.88 mi 7.86 km
57	South River Peak PB	Colorado	San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000400938999913,154 ft 4009 m	&100000000000007461499992,448 ft 746 m	&1000000000003534000000022.0 mi 35.3 km

Most Prominent Summits: Standing Out Tall

This table lists the three "ultra-prominent" peaks in the Southern Rocky Mountains. These peaks stand out because they rise at least 1,500 meters (about 4,921 feet) from their base.

The three ultra-prominent mountain peaks of the Southern Rocky Mountains
Rank	Mountain Peak	State	Mountain Range	Elevation	Prominence	Isolation
1	Mount Elbert	Colorado	Sawatch Range	&1000000000000440119999914,440 ft 4401 m	&100000000000027715500009,093 ft 2772 m	&10000000001079160000000671 mi 1,079 km
2	Pikes Peak		Pikes Peak Massif	&1000000000000430231000014,115 ft 4302 m	&100000000000016855399995,530 ft 1686 m	&1000000000009782000000060.8 mi 97.8 km
3	Blanca Peak		Sierra Blanca Massif	&1000000000000437593999914,357 ft 4376 m	&100000000000016233599995,326 ft 1623 m	&10000000000166360000000103.4 mi 166.4 km

Blanca Peak on the Sierra Blanca Massif in south-central Colorado

Most Isolated Summits: Far from Others

This table lists the 15 most isolated peaks in the Southern Rocky Mountains. "Isolated" means they are far away from other peaks of similar or higher elevation. These peaks are at least 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) away from any taller land and rise at least 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) from their base.

The 15 mountain peaks of the Southern Rocky Mountains with at least 50 kilometers of
topographic isolation and 500 meters of topographic prominence
Rank	Mountain Peak	State	Mountain Range	Elevation	Prominence	Isolation
1	Mount Elbert	Colorado	Sawatch Range	&1000000000000440119999914,440 ft 4401 m	&100000000000027715500009,093 ft 2772 m	&10000000001079160000000671 mi 1,079 km
2	Blanca Peak		Sierra Blanca Massif	&1000000000000437593999914,357 ft 4376 m	&100000000000016233599995,326 ft 1623 m	&10000000000166360000000103.4 mi 166.4 km
3	Uncompahgre Peak		San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000436500000014,321 ft 4365 m	&100000000000013036300004,277 ft 1304 m	&1000000000013689000000085.1 mi 136.9 km
4	Mount Peale	Utah	La Sal Mountains	&1000000000000387900000012,726 ft 3879 m	&100000000000018839700006,181 ft 1884 m	&1000000000011777000000073.2 mi 117.8 km
5	Pikes Peak	Colorado	Pikes Peak Massif	&1000000000000430231000014,115 ft 4302 m	&100000000000016855399995,530 ft 1686 m	&1000000000009782000000060.8 mi 97.8 km
6	Longs Peak		Front Range	&1000000000000434600000014,259 ft 4346 m	&100000000000008961100002,940 ft 896 m	&1000000000007019000000043.6 mi 70.2 km
7	Flat Top Mountain		Flat Tops PB	&1000000000000376769999912,361 ft 3768 m	&100000000000012356600004,054 ft 1236 m	&1000000000006891000000042.8 mi 68.9 km
8	Truchas Peak	New Mexico	Santa Fe Mountains PB	&1000000000000399519999913,108 ft 3995 m	&100000000000012195000004,001 ft 1220 m	&1000000000006817000000042.4 mi 68.2 km
9	Mount Zirkel	Colorado	Park Range	&1000000000000371409999912,185 ft 3714 m	&100000000000010576600003,470 ft 1058 m	&1000000000006125000000038.1 mi 61.3 km
10	Medicine Bow Peak	Wyoming	Snowy Range PB	&1000000000000366240000012,016 ft 3662 m	&100000000000009884700003,243 ft 988 m	&1000000000006553000000040.7 mi 65.5 km
11	Summit Peak	Colorado	San Juan Mountains	&1000000000000405619999913,308 ft 4056 m	&100000000000008412500002,760 ft 841 m	&1000000000006423000000039.9 mi 64.2 km
12	Wheeler Peak	New Mexico	Taos Mountains	&1000000000000401330000013,167 ft 4013 m	&100000000000010390599993,409 ft 1039 m	&1000000000006012000000037.4 mi 60.1 km
13	Culebra Peak	Colorado	Culebra Range	&1000000000000428327000014,053 ft 4283 m	&100000000000014712699994,827 ft 1471 m	&1000000000005707000000035.5 mi 57.1 km
14	Mount Wilson		San Miguel Mountains PB	&1000000000000434407999914,252 ft 4344 m	&100000000000012265199994,024 ft 1227 m	&1000000000005321000000033.1 mi 53.2 km
15	Fishers Peak		Raton Mesa PB	&100000000000029361999999,633 ft 2936 m	&100000000000005629700001,847 ft 563 m	&1000000000005216000000032.4 mi 52.2 km

Easternmost Summits: Where the Mountains Begin

This table shows the easternmost peaks of the Rocky Mountains at different elevations. It helps us see how the mountains gradually get taller as you go west.

The easternmost high summits of the Rocky Mountains
Rank	Mountain Peak	State	Mountain Range	Elevation	Prominence	Isolation	Location
1	Fishers Peak	Colorado	Raton Mesa	&100000000000029361999999,633 ft 2936 m	&100000000000005629700001,847 ft 563 m	&1000000000005216000000032.4 mi 52.2 km	37.0982°N 104.4628°W
2	East Spanish Peak		Spanish Peaks	&1000000000000386715000012,688 ft 3867 m	&100000000000007263400002,383 ft 726 m	&100000000000067800000004.21 mi 6.78 km	37.3934°N 104.9201°W
3	West Spanish Peak		Spanish Peaks	&1000000000000415467000013,631 ft 4155 m	&100000000000011234900003,686 ft 1123 m	&1000000000003288000000020.4 mi 32.9 km	37.3756°N 104.9934°W
4	Pikes Peak		Front Range	&1000000000000430231000014,115 ft 4302 m	&100000000000016855399995,530 ft 1686 m	&1000000000009782000000060.8 mi 97.8 km	38.8405°N 105.0442°W
5	Blanca Peak		Sangre de Cristo Mountains	&1000000000000437593999914,357 ft 4376 m	&100000000000016233599995,326 ft 1623 m	&10000000000166360000000103.4 mi 166.4 km	37.5775°N 105.4856°W
6	Mount Harvard		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000439560000014,421 ft 4396 m	&100000000000007092699992,327 ft 709 m	&1000000000002401000000014.92 mi 24.0 km	38.9244°N 106.3207°W
7	Mount Elbert		Sawatch Range	&1000000000000440119999914,440 ft 4401 m	&100000000000027715500009,093 ft 2772 m	&10000000001079160000000671 mi 1,079 km	39.1178°N 106.4454°W

Mountain Passes: Roads Through the Peaks

View from Independence Pass in Colorado.

View from Red Mountain Pass in Colorado.

This table lists the paved mountain passes and highway summits in the Southern Rocky Mountains. These are places where roads cross over mountain ranges.

Paved mountain passes and highway summits of the
Southern Rocky Mountains
Rank	Mountain Pass	State	Elevation	Route
1	Mount Evans Scenic Byway	Colorado	14,160 feet 4316 m	005
2	Pikes Peak Highway		14,115 feet 4302 m	999
3	Trail Ridge Road		12,183 feet 3713 m	034
4	Independence Pass		12,095 feet 3687 m	082
5	Loveland Pass		11,992 feet 3655 m	006
6	Hoosier Pass		11,541 feet 3518 m	009
7	Slumgullion Pass		11,361 feet 3463 m	149
8	Fremont Pass		11,318 feet 3450 m	091
9	Berthoud Pass		11,315 feet 3449 m	040
10	Monarch Pass		11,312 feet 3448 m	050
11	Eisenhower Tunnel		11,158 feet 3401 m	070
12	Warrior Mountain Summit		11,140 feet 3395 m	103
13	Juniper Pass		11,040 feet 3365 m	103
14	Red Mountain Pass		11,018 feet 3358 m	550
15	Molas Divide		10,910 feet 3325 m	550
16	Spring Creek Pass		10,901 feet 3323 m	149
17	Wolf Creek Pass		10,850 feet 3307 m	160
18	Snowy Range Pass	Wyoming	10,847 feet 3306 m	130
19	Grand Mesa Summit	Colorado	10,839 feet 3304 m	065
20	Milner Pass		10,758 feet 3279 m	034
21	Vail Pass		10,666 feet 3251 m	070
22	Coal Bank Pass		10,640 feet 3243 m	550
23	Tennessee Pass		10,424 feet 3177 m	024
24	Cameron Pass		10,276 feet 3132 m	014
25	La Manga Pass		10,230 feet 3118 m	017
26	Lizard Head Pass		10,222 feet 3116 m	145
27	North Pass		10,149 feet 3093 m	114
28	Cumbres Pass		10,022 feet 3055 m	017
29	Kenosha Pass		10,001 feet 3048 m	285
30	Red Hill Pass		09,993 feet 3046 m	285
31	Cucharas Pass		09,941 feet 3030 m	012
32	Battle Pass	Wyoming	09,915 feet 3022 m	070
33	Bobcat Pass	New Mexico	09,833 feet 2997 m	038
34	Willow Creek Pass	Colorado	09,621 feet 2932 m	125
35	Gore Pass		09,527 feet 2904 m	134
36	Wilkerson Pass		09,507 feet 2898 m	024
37	Currant Creek Pass		09,482 feet 2890 m	009
38	Rabbit Ears Pass		09,426 feet 2873 m	040
39	North La Veta Pass		09,413 feet 2869 m	160
40	Trout Creek Pass		09,346 feet 2849 m	024.285
41	Battle Mountain Summit		09,267 feet 2825 m	024
42	Ute Pass		09,165 feet 2793 m	024
43	Wind River Pass		09,148 feet 2788 m	007
44	Black Mesa Summit		09,121 feet 2780 m	092
45	Palo Flechado Pass	New Mexico	09,109 feet 2776 m	064
46	Hardscrabble Pass	Colorado	09,085 feet 2769 m	096
47	Poncha Pass		09,010 feet 2746 m	285
48	Dallas Divide		08,970 feet 2734 m	062
49	Muddy Pass		08,772 feet 2674 m	040
50	McClure Pass		08,755 feet 2669 m	133
51	Blue Mesa Summit		08,704 feet 2653 m	050
52	Wondervu Hill		08,660 feet 2640 m	072
53	Happy Jack Summit	Wyoming	08,640 feet 2633 m	080
54	U.S. Hill	New Mexico	08,562 feet 2610 m	518
55	Douglas Pass	Colorado	08,268 feet 2520 m	139
56	Cerro Summit	Colorado	07,950 feet 2423 m	050
57	Raton Pass	New Mexico	07,834 feet 2388 m	025
58	Yellowjacket Pass	Colorado	07,783 feet 2372 m	160
59	Glorieta Pass	New Mexico	07,557 feet 2303 m	025
60	South Pass	Wyoming	07,550 feet 2301 m	028
61	Monument Hill	Colorado	07,343 feet 2238 m	025
62	Morton Pass	Wyoming	07,173 feet 2186 m	034.1
63	Unaweep Divide	Colorado	07,048 feet 2148 m	141
64	Separation Summit	Wyoming	07,005 feet 2135 m	080
65	Robinson Summit	Wyoming	06,927 feet 2111 m	080

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Southern Rocky Mountains Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.