Grizzly Peak (Sawatch Range)

Summary

Grizzly Peak is a high and prominent mountain summit of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,995-foot (4265.6 m) thirteener is located 2.6 miles (4.2 km) south-southwest (bearing 202°) of Independence Pass, Colorado, United States, on the Continental Divide separating San Isabel National Forest and Chaffee County from White River National Forest and Pitkin County.[1][2][3]

Grizzly Peak
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation13,995 ft (4265.6 m)[1]
NAVD88
Prominence1928 ft (588 m)[2]
Isolation6.77 mi (10.89 km)[2]
Listing
Coordinates39°02′33″N 106°35′51″W / 39.0424631°N 106.5975938°W / 39.0424631; -106.5975938[1]
Geography
Grizzly Peak is located in Colorado
Grizzly Peak
Grizzly Peak
LocationContinental Divide between
Chaffee and Pitkin counties, Colorado, United States[3]
Parent rangeSawatch Range,
Collegiate Peaks[2]
Topo mapUSGS 7.5' topographic map
Independence Pass, Colorado[1]
Geology
Age of rockOligocene (~ 24–33 million yrs)
Climbing
Easiest routeScramble, class 2+

Elevation edit

Grizzly Peak is the highest summit in the United States less than 14,000 feet (4,267.2 m), making it the highest thirteener in the country. At one time, the peak's elevation was measured to be over 14,000 feet and was believed to be a fourteener, but more recent and accurate surveys have dropped it below that threshold.

Geology edit

The mountain is composed of andesite lava flows and breccias of Oligocene age.[4]

Climate edit

Climate data for Grizzly Peak 39.0395 N, 106.5989 W, Elevation: 13,396 ft (4,083 m) (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 20.8
(−6.2)
19.9
(−6.7)
26.5
(−3.1)
33.4
(0.8)
41.9
(5.5)
53.0
(11.7)
58.6
(14.8)
56.6
(13.7)
50.3
(10.2)
39.7
(4.3)
27.5
(−2.5)
20.9
(−6.2)
37.4
(3.0)
Daily mean °F (°C) 10.1
(−12.2)
9.3
(−12.6)
14.8
(−9.6)
20.6
(−6.3)
29.4
(−1.4)
39.7
(4.3)
45.6
(7.6)
44.0
(6.7)
37.7
(3.2)
27.7
(−2.4)
17.1
(−8.3)
10.4
(−12.0)
25.5
(−3.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) −0.6
(−18.1)
−1.4
(−18.6)
3.1
(−16.1)
7.9
(−13.4)
17.0
(−8.3)
26.4
(−3.1)
32.7
(0.4)
31.4
(−0.3)
25.1
(−3.8)
15.7
(−9.1)
6.8
(−14.0)
0.0
(−17.8)
13.7
(−10.2)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.42
(87)
3.35
(85)
3.95
(100)
4.33
(110)
2.83
(72)
1.37
(35)
2.33
(59)
2.44
(62)
2.26
(57)
2.59
(66)
3.13
(80)
3.01
(76)
35.01
(889)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[5]

Historical names edit

  • Grizzly Mountain
  • Grizzly Peak [3]

Other summits with same name edit

Grizzly Peak is not only the name of Colorado's highest thirteener, but the state has four other Grizzly Peaks plus one Grizzly Mountain on the list:[6]

Rank Mountain Height Range
54 Grizzly Peak 13,995 ft (4,266 m) Sawatch Range
130 Grizzly Peak 13,738 ft (4,187 m) San Juan Mountains
142 Grizzly Mountain 13,708 ft (4,178 m) Sawatch Range
145 Grizzly Peak 13,700 ft (4,176 m) San Juan Mountains
302 Grizzly Peak 13,427 ft (4,093 m) Front Range
415 Grizzly Peak 13,281 ft (4,048 m) Sawatch Range

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "GRIZZLY". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d "Grizzly Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Grizzly Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  4. ^ "GSA Program for 1999 Annual Meeting, Continental Divide - Sawatch Range and James Peak, Colorado". Retrieved 2007-03-03.
  5. ^ "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 10, 2023. To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.
  6. ^ "Colorado's Summits – 13,000 to 13,999 feet". Retrieved 2007-03-02.
  • Roach, Gerry; Roach, Jennifer (2001). Colorado's Thirteeners, 13,800 to 13,999 Feet: From Hikes to Climbs. Fulcrum Publishing. ISBN 1-55591-419-5.

External links edit

  • "13ers.com - Grizzly Peak". Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  • "Grizzly Peak (Sawatch Range, CO; 13,988')". Retrieved 2007-03-03.