Windom Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windom Peak |
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Windom Peak (left center) from across Chicago Basin.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 14,093 ft (4296 m) NAVD88 |
| Prominence | 2187 ft (667 m) |
| Isolation | 26.3 mi (42.4 km) |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
 Windom Peak
Location in Colorado
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| Location | High point of La Plata County, Colorado, United States |
| Parent range | San Juan Mountains, Highest summit of the Needle Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Columbine Pass, Colorado |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | West Ridge: scramble (class 3) |
Windom Peak is the highest summit of the Needle Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The prominent 14,093-foot (4,296 m) fourteener is located in the Weminuche Wilderness of San Juan National Forest, 28.2 miles (45.4 km) northeast by north (bearing 32°) of the City of Durango in La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The summit of Windom Peak is the highest point in La Plata County and the entire San Juan River drainage basin. The mountain was named in honor of Minnesota senator William Windom.
Climbing
Windom Peak is one of three fourteeners in the Needle Mountains; the other two are Mount Eolus and Sunlight 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.
Elevation
Mount Eolus may be higher than Windom Peak. If this is the case, Mount Eolus would be the highest summit of the Needle Mountains, La Plata County, and the entire San Juan River drainage basin.
Recent surveying by Arthur Harris on a Trimble-sponsored trip determined the following elevations, confirming that Windom is the monarch of the basin:
Eolus: 14085.4 ft +/- 2.1'
Windom: 14089.9 ft +/- 1.4'
Historical names
- Windom Mountain
- Windom Peak – 1974
