Grizzly Peak (Summit County, Colorado) Explained

Grizzly Peak
Elevation Ft:13433
Elevation Ref:[1] [2]
Prominence Ft:847
Isolation Mi:1.48
Location:Continental Divide between
Clear Creek and Summit counties, Colorado, United States
Range:Front Range
Map:Colorado
Coordinates:39.6444°N -105.8486°W
Coordinates Ref:[3]
Topo:USGS 7.5' topographic map
Grays Peak, Colorado
Easiest Route:Trail hike

Grizzly Peak is a high mountain summit in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Also known as Grizzly Peak D, the 13433feet thirteener is located in Arapaho National Forest, 3.4km (02.1miles) southeast by east (bearing 129°) of Loveland Pass, Colorado, United States, on the Continental Divide between Clear Creek and Summit counties.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Its proximate parent peak is Torreys Peak.[7]

Location and geography

Grizzly Peak sits along the Continental Divide on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The summit is located near Interstate 70, east of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel.[4] The larger Grays Peak (14278feet) and Torreys Peak (14275feet) sit nearby, and the closest major town is Silver Plume, Colorado.[5] [8] It is also in close proximity to Mount Sniktau, which rises to 13235feet at its peak.[9] Other nearby points of interest include Loveland Ski Area, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Keystone Ski Resort and the Arapahoe Basin.[9]

Other summits with same name

The state of Colorado actually has four other Grizzly Peaks and one Grizzly Mountain on record. The Grizzly Peak in Chaffee County, which sits in the Sawatch Range, is the tallest of these.[5] The Summit County Grizzly Peak is fourth-tallest of the mountains, and is thus also referred to as "Grizzly Peak D":[5] [6]

RankMountainElevationRange
align=center 54 Grizzly Peak139950NaN0Sawatch Range
align=center 130 Grizzly Peak137380NaN0San Juan Mountains
align=center 142 Grizzly Mountain137080NaN0Sawatch Range
align=center 145 Grizzly Peak137000NaN0San Juan Mountains
align=center 302 Grizzly Peak13433feetFront Range
align=center 415 Grizzly Peak132810NaN0Sawatch Range

Hiking

The trail to Grizzly Peak, which allows hikers to reach the summit of the mountain by foot, is accessible immediately off of a parking lot at Loveland Pass on U.S. Highway 6.[4] [9] The trailhead begins above the treeline at about 12000feet and rises to the peak, but reaching the summit does not necessarily require the use of extra mountain climbing equipment such as ropes.[4] Visitors can also reach Mount Sniktau, a smaller peak, from the same point along Loveland Pass.[9]

From the summit, hikers can see Loveland Pass below them, plus views of nearby Chihuahua Lake and the Arapahoe Basin ski trails.[4]

Historical names

See also

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. The elevation of Grizzly Peak includes an adjustment of +1.911 m (+6.27 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  2. 5660. Grizzly Peak, Colorado. November 10, 2014.
  3. 181826. Grizzly Peak. November 10, 2014.
  4. Web site: Grizzly Peak. Front Range (CO). SummitPost.org. December 1, 2012.
  5. Web site: 13ers.com – Grizzly Peak D . December 1, 2012 .
  6. Web site: Roach. Gerry. Colorado’s Summits – 13,000 to 13,999 feet. climb.mountains.com. Mountains.com. December 1, 2012.
  7. Web site: Grizzly Peak. CO Peak Statistics. Lists of John. December 1, 2012.
  8. Web site: Grizzly Peak Summit – Colorado Mountain Peak Information. MountainZone.com. demandMedia Sports. December 1, 2012.
  9. Web site: Mount Sniktau. hikingincolorado.org. Hiking in Colorado. December 1, 2012.