Treasure Mountain (Colorado) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Treasure Mountain |
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Treasure Mountain viewed from the southeast.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,535 ft (4,125 m) |
| Prominence | 2,828 ft (862 m) |
| Isolation | 6.92 mi (11.14 km) |
| Parent peak | Hagerman Peak |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
 Treasure Mountain
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Gunnison County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Parent range | Elk Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Snowmass Mountain, Colorado |
Treasure Mountain is a cool peak in the Elk Mountains of western Colorado. It stands tall at about 13,535 feet (4,125 meters) high. This mountain is found in the Raggeds Wilderness area, southeast of a town called Marble. Treasure Mountain is famous for its marble mines and a thrilling old story about lost French gold.
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What's Near Treasure Mountain?
Treasure Mountain is part of a large rock mass that includes Treasury Mountain. Treasury Mountain is a bit shorter, at about 13,462 feet (4,103 meters). There's even another mountain named Treasure Mountain in a different part of Colorado!
Other Peaks Nearby
Many other mountains are close to Treasure Mountain. Some of these include:
- Whitehouse Mountain, about 11,975 feet (3,650 meters)
- Bear Mountain, about 12,373 feet (3,771 meters)
- Crystal Peak, about 12,632 feet (3,850 meters)
- Purple Mountain, about 12,856 feet (3,918 meters)
- Cinnamon Mountain, about 12,293 feet (3,747 meters)
The Ruby Range stretches south from Treasury Mountain. It forms the eastern edge of the Raggeds Wilderness.
Lakes and Rivers Around the Mountain
On the southern side of Treasure Mountain, you'll find the Yule Lakes. These lakes flow into Yule Creek, which then feeds into Beaver Lake, east of Marble. The water from the northern slopes of Treasure Mountain flows into the Crystal River. This river forms the northeastern border of the Raggeds Wilderness.
Yule Pass is a mountain pass located south of Treasury Mountain. It separates two different forest areas: the Sopris Ranger District and the Gunnison Ranger District. This pass leads southeast along the Slate River.
The Amazing Yule Marble
Treasure Mountain is famous for its special rock called Colorado Yule marble. This marble comes from a type of rock called Leadville Limestone. It was formed a very long time ago, during the Mississippian Age. The marble got its unique look and strength from intense heat and pressure. This happened when hot, melted rock pushed up from underground, forming the Treasure Mountain dome.
Where Was Yule Marble Used?
The beautiful Yule marble was used to build the famous Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The quarry where this marble is dug out is located on the west side of Treasure Mountain, along Yule Creek. It's at a high elevation of about 9,300 feet (2,835 meters). Before the Lincoln Memorial was built, some people wondered if the quarry could provide enough marble. They also questioned if the marble was strong enough for such a big building. But it turned out to be perfect!
How Treasure Mountain Got Its Name
The mountain was first called Citadel Mountain. Its current name, Treasure Mountain, comes from an exciting old story. This story is about a French mining trip that went wrong a long time ago. People started writing down this folklore in the 1930s and 1940s.
The Legend of Lost Gold
The legend says that in the late 1700s, Napoleon Bonaparte needed money for his big plans. So, he sent an expedition of 300 men and 450 horses to the Rocky Mountains. They traveled all the way from New Orleans through Leavenworth, Kansas. The story claims they found a huge amount of gold near Wolf Creek Pass.
At first, the local Native Americans were friendly. But things changed, and the French had to bury their gold. They tried to escape, but warriors chased them. Only one survivor, named Le Blanc, made it back to Kansas. He was the expedition's historian and supposedly made two maps of the hidden treasure.
Later, another group tried to find the treasure but failed. Many years later, a miner named William Yule claimed he had a copy of the original map. He explored the area around the mountain, searching for the lost gold. Because of this exciting story, the mountain was named Treasure Mountain!
