Capitol Peak (Colorado)

Capitol Peak is a high and prominent mountain summit in the Elk Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is the 52nd highest mountain in North America. The 14,137-foot (4,309 m) fourteener is located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of White River National Forest, 8.7 miles (14.0 km) east by south (bearing 104°) of the community of Redstone in Pitkin County, Colorado, United States.[2][4][3]

Capitol Peak
Capitol Peak, from Capitol Lake
Highest point
Elevation14,137 ft (4309 m) [1][2]
NAVD88
Prominence1750 ft (533 m) [2]
Isolation7.44 mi (11.98 km) [2]
Listing
Coordinates39°09′01″N 107°04′59″W [3]
Geography
Capitol Peak
LocationPitkin County, Colorado, U.S.[4]
Parent rangeElk Mountains[2]
Topo mapUSGS 7.5' topographic map
Capitol Peak, Colorado[3]
Climbing
First ascent1909 by Percy Hagerman and Harold Clark[1]
Easiest routeNortheast Knife RidgeScramble, class 4

Mountain

Capitol Peak lies on the long ridge connecting the heart of the Elk Mountains with Mount Sopris to the northwest. Capitol Peak is notable for its impressive vertical relief, rising nearly 9,000 feet above the Roaring Fork Valley.

Capitol Peak is one of the most difficult of Colorado's fourteeners to climb. The only non-technical route, the Northeast Ridge, requires crossing the famously exposed "Knife Edge," the northeast ridge of Capitol. Fatalities have occurred on this route. Other routes require technical rock climbing, for example, the Northwest Buttress Route (Grade IV, Class 5.9). These routes have significant rockfall danger due to a great deal of loose rock; however, the rock is substantially more solid than on the more famous Maroon Bells or on Pyramid Peak.[5]

Capitol Peak Knife Edge

Capitol Peak Trail

Capitol Peak is a 15.1 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Snowmass Village, Colorado that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking, rock climbing, and backpacking and is best used from July until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail.[6]

From the parking lot, hikers will hike 5.7 miles before arriving at the Capitol Peak campsite. Another 1.9 Miles is hiked to K2 and the summit. K2 is a peak that is often confused by hikers as the Capitol Peak summit.

Points of interest along the Capitol Peak Trail.

Camping

There is primitive camping near trail head in a designated site. No fee is required, but restrictions may exist.

Daly Pass

At the trail head, at an altitude of 9,400 feet, following several switchbacks for half a mile will lead you to Daly Pass. Daly Pass is the first point of interest on Capitol Peak. This pass is recognized for its saddle-shaped ridge reaching 12,480 feet.[7] After the pass, there is no more easy hiking till the summit.

K2
View of Capitol Peak summit from K2

K2 is known for often getting confused by hikers as the Capitol Peak summit. Most hikers will go around the right side where it is most exposed, but fatality rates are much higher when you go around.[7]

Knife Edge

Knife edge (pictured above) is famous for its 150-foot[7] length, with 2,000 foot drops on both sides. Daredevils will walk across it in a timely manner, but other hikers may scooch across it like straddling a horse. This is where most deaths occur on the Capitol Peak Trail.

Summit

The view from Capitol Peak's summit is simply breathtaking. Below scatter the jewel-like Pierre Lakes in the huge cirque to the east and to the south rises Snowmass Mountain, another Fourteener, at the end of a long shattered ridge. Farther to the east are red-striated peaks, including the Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak, and Castle Peak, while the long ridge of the Continental Divide hangs against the eastern horizon.[7]

Climate
Average Monthly Climate Reports[8]
Month Average High Average Low Average Precipitation Average Snow
January 27 F -2 F 3.51 in 50.1 in
February 30 F -1 F 2.46 in 39.6 in
March 36 F 7 F 3.97 in 58.8 in
April 42 F 12 F 3.48 in 45.1 in
May 51 F 22 F 1.96 in 20.6 in
June 63 F 30 F 1.11 in 3.8 in
July 68 F 35 F 2.23 in 0 in
August 66 F 34 F 1.91 in 0 in
September 57 F 29 F 1.70 in 4.9 in
October 47 F 20 F 1.76 in 20.3 in
November 34 F 7 F 2.72 in 43.0 in
December 27 F 0 F 3.02 in 50.8 in
Yearly Average 46 F (Rounded) 16 F (Rounded) 2.49 in (Rounded) 28.1 in (Rounded)

Historical names
  • Capital Peak
  • Capitol Peak - by Hayden Survey who thought it looked similar to the U.S. Capitol building[1][4]

See also

References
  1. Walter R. Borneman; Lyndon J. Lampert. A Climbing Guide To Colorado's Fourteeners (2 ed.). p. 145. ISBN 0871087510.
  2. "Capitol Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  3. "Capitol Peak". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  4. "Capitol Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  5. Dawson, Louis W., II (1994). Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners. Volume 1. Blue Clover Press. ISBN 0-9628867-1-8.
  6. "Capitol Peak". AllTrails.com. Retrieved 2019-10-08.
  7. Green, Stewart. "How to Climb Capitol Peak: Colorado's Hardest Fourteener". LiveAbout. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  8. "Capitol Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost". www.summitpost.org. Retrieved 2019-10-09.

Further reading
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