| Castle Peak | |
| Elevation System: | NAVD88 |
| Elevation: | 14,279 ft (4352.2 m) |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence: | 2365 ft (721 m) |
| Prominence Ref: | [2] |
| Isolation: | 20.9 mi (33.6 km) |
| Location: | High point of both Gunnison and Pitkin counties, Colorado, U.S. |
| Range: | Highest summit of the Elk Mountains |
| Map: | Colorado |
| Coordinates: | 39.0097°N -106.8614°W |
| Topo: | USGS 7.5' topographic map Hayden Peak, Colorado[3] |
| First Ascent: | 1873 by the Hayden Survey |
| Easiest Route: | Northeast Ridge: Hike, [4] |
Castle Peak is the ninth highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the U.S. state of Colorado. The prominent 4352.2m (14,278.9feet) fourteener is the highest summit of the Elk Mountains and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The peak is located 18.7km (11.6miles) northeast by north (bearing 32°) of the Town of Crested Butte, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide separating Gunnison National Forest and Gunnison County from White River National Forest and Pitkin County. The summit of Castle Peak is the highest point of both counties.[1] [2] [3]
The Aetherius Society considers it to be one of its 19 holy mountains.[5] [6] [7]
Castle Peak takes its name from its castellated summit.[8] The best climbing months are June, July, August, September through the Montezuma Glacier, a permanent snowfield between Castle and Conundrum Peaks. There are two standard routes for ascent. The Northwest Ridge features a moderate snow climb followed by an easy ridge scramble. It should not be attempted late in the summer when the 200feet of loose dirt and scree meet the climber near the top of the Castle-Conundrum saddle. The Northeast Ridge features an easy snow climb, but slightly harder scrambling and route-finding once on the ridge.
There are two other peaks in Colorado that have the same name: one in Eagle County at 39.773°N -106.8345°W,[9] with an elevation 11,280+ feet, (3438+ m);[10] and the other in Mesa County at 39.2711°N -108.0945°W,[11] with an elevation of 8,140 feet (2,481 m).Conundrum Peak is a northern subsummit of Castle Peak. It has two closely spaced summits; the northern is higher, with elevation of 14,040+ feet (4279+ m).[12] It is 0.4miles north of Castle Peak, and has 200feet of clean topographic prominence. This does not meet the usual 3000NaN0 prominence criterion for an officially separate peak; however, it is often climbed in conjunction with Castle Peak.[13]