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 very tall mountain in the Needle Mountains range. This range is part of the larger Rocky Mountains in North America.
The peak is 14,065 feet (4,287 meters) high. Mountains over 14,000 feet are often called "fourteeners." Sunlight Peak is located in the Weminuche Wilderness. This is a special protected area within the San Juan National Forest. It is about 28 miles (45.8 kilometers) northeast of the city of Durango. Sunlight Peak is in La Plata County, Colorado, United States.
The mountain was given its name in 1902. People think the name "Sunlight Peak" probably describes how the mountain looks in the sun.
Climbing Sunlight Peak
Sunlight Peak is one of three "fourteeners" in the Needle Mountains. The other two tall peaks are Mount Eolus and Windom Peak. Windom Peak and Sunlight Peak are on the east side of Twin Lakes. Mount Eolus is on the west side.
These three mountains are quite far from towns. This means they feel wild and untouched. Even so, many people enjoy climbing them in the summer.
The Red Couloir Route
The most common way to climb Sunlight Peak is from the south side. This path is known as the "Red Couloir" (which is a steep gully or channel). Climbing this route is mostly a "scramble." This means you use both your hands and feet to climb over rocks. It's not like technical rock climbing where you need ropes and special gear.
However, getting to the very top of Sunlight Peak is a bit tricky. The last part requires an "exposed rock climbing move." This means you have to climb a short section of rock where there's a steep drop-off nearby. It can feel a little scary because of how open it is.
