Williams Mountains Explained

Williams Mountains
Highest:Bill Williams Peak
Elevation:13389feet
Elevation Ref:[1]
Location:Pitkin County, Colorado, U.S.
Parent:Sawatch Range
Map:Colorado#USA
Relief:1
Coordinates:39.1806°N -106.6102°W
Coordinates Ref:[2]
Topo:USGS Mount Champion

The Williams Mountains are a subrange of the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada. The mountains are located in Pitkin County, Colorado. The apex of the range is 13389feet Bill Williams Peak located 12.2miles east of Aspen, Colorado, in the Hunter–Fryingpan Wilderness of White River National Forest.[3]

Etymology

The Williams Mountains are named for William Sherley "Old Bill" Williams (1787–1849), prominent American mountain man and frontiersman who frequented the region.

In November 1848, John C. Fremont hired Williams to guide his ill-fated fourth expedition through the Southern Rocky Mountains.[4] Fremont sought to find a railroad route through the Rockies along the 38th parallel north. Williams warned Fremont against following his intended route through the La Garita Mountains in winter, but Fremont proceeded with his 35 men and 150 mules. The expedition eventually became hopelessly mired in deep snow and 11 men and all but a few of the pack animals died.[5] Williams led a rescue party south towards Taos, and the survivors of the expedition eventually managed to follow.[6]

In March, Williams and Dr. Benjamin Kern returned to the La Garita Mountains in hopes of finding more survivors. On March 14, 1849, Ute warriors murdered Bill Williams and Dr. Kern in the mountains by for trespassing on Ute lands.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. 16642. Williams Mountains Highpoint, Colorado. December 13, 2023.
  2. 202690. Williams Mountains. December 19, 2023.
  3. TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Mount Champion, CO. July 10, 2017.
  4. Web site: Meehan . James . Williams, William Sherley . ncpedia.org . . 3 December 2023 . December 2021.
  5. Web site: Trail to Disaster: John C. Frémont's Fourth Exhibition into the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado. Patricia Joy. Richmond. Ayer y Hoy en Taos. Taos County Historical Society. Summer 1987. December 21, 2023.
  6. Web site: Williams, William Sherley . encyclopedia.com . . 3 December 2023 . November 16, 2023.