Windom Peak

Windom Peak

Windom Peak (left center) from across Chicago Basin.
Elevation 14,093 ft (4,296 m)[1][2]
Prominence 2,187 ft (667 m)[2]
Isolation 26.35 mi (42.41 km)[2]
Listing Colorado Fourteener
Colorado 4000 meter summits
Colorado range high points
Colorado county high points
Location
Windom Peak

Colorado

Location High point of La Plata County, Colorado, United States[2]
Range San Juan Mountains,
Highest summit of the
Needle Mountains[2]
Coordinates 37°37′16″N 107°35′31″W / 37.621166°N 107.591879°WCoordinates: 37°37′16″N 107°35′31″W / 37.621166°N 107.591879°W[3]
Topo map USGS 7.5' topographic map
Columbine Pass, Colorado[3]
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.[1][2][3] The mountain was named in honor of Minnesota senator William Windom.[4]

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.[5]

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.

Historical names

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The elevation of Windom Peak includes an adjustment of +1.785 m (+5.86 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Windom Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Windom Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  4. Dziezynski, James (1 August 2012). Best Summit Hikes in Colorado: An Opinionated Guide to 50+ Ascents of Classic and Little-Known Peaks from 8,144 to 14,433 Feet. Wilderness Press. p. 275. ISBN 978-0-89997-713-3.
  5. Louis W. Dawson II (1996). Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners, Volume 2. Blue Clover Press. ISBN 0-9628867-2-6.

External links