Sunlight Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sunlight Peak |
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Sunlight Peak from Twin Lakes
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 14,065 ft (4,287 m) |
| Prominence | 399 ft (122 m) |
| Isolation | 0.48 mi (0.77 km) |
| Listing | Colorado Fourteener 39th |
| Geography | |
 Sunlight Peak
Location in Colorado
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| Location | La Plata County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Parent range | San Juan Mountains, Needle Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Storm King Peak, Colorado |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Red Couloir: scramble (class 4) |
Sunlight Peak is a high mountain summit of the Needle Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 14,065-foot (4,287 m) fourteener is located in the Weminuche Wilderness of San Juan National Forest, 28.5 miles (45.8 km) northeast by north (bearing 32°) of the City of Durango in La Plata County, Colorado, United States.
Sunlight Peak was so named in 1902; the name is likely descriptive.
Climbing
Sunlight Peak is one of three fourteeners in the Needle Mountains; the other two are Mount Eolus and Windom Peak. Windom and Sunlight lie on the east side of Twin Lakes, in upper Chicago Basin, while Eolus lies on the west side. All three peaks are relatively remote by Colorado standards, and have a strong wilderness character; however they can be popular in summer.
The standard route up Sunlight Peak is from the south, known as the "Red Couloir". It is a non-technical scramble, but achieving the top of the summit block does require an exposed rock climbing move.
