Crystal Peak (Gunnison County, Colorado)

Crystal Peak is a 12,777-foot (3,894 m) mountain summit in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States.

Crystal Peak
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation12,777 ft (3,894 m)[1][2]
Prominence447 ft (136 m)[3]
Parent peakStar Peak (13,527 ft)[3]
Isolation1.12 mi (1.80 km)[3]
Coordinates38°57′52″N 106°47′30″W / 38.9645741°N 106.7915529°W / 38.9645741; -106.7915529[4]
Geography
Crystal Peak is located in Colorado
Crystal Peak
Crystal Peak
Location in Colorado
Crystal Peak is located in the United States
Crystal Peak
Crystal Peak
Crystal Peak (the United States)
CountryUnited States
StateColorado
CountyGunnison
Parent rangeRocky Mountains
Elk Mountains[2]
Topo mapUSGS Pearl Pass
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 1+ hiking[3]

Description

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Crystal Peak is situated 10.5 miles (16.9 km) west of the Continental Divide in the Elk Mountains which are a subrange of the Rocky Mountains.[2] The mountain is located 30 miles (48 km) north of the community of Gunnison in the Gunnison National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's north slope drains into the headwaters of the Taylor River, whereas the other slopes drain into tributaries of the East River. Topographic relief is modest as the summit rises 1,777 feet (542 m) above Taylor River in 1.5 miles (2.4 km). The mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[4] This peak should not be confused with another Crystal Peak (12,632 ft) in Gunnison County, 16.5 miles (26.6 km) to the west-northwest.

Climate

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According to the Köppen climate classification system, Crystal Peak is located in an alpine subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and cool to warm summers.[5] Due to its altitude, it receives precipitation all year, as snow in winter and as thunderstorms in summer, with a dry period in late spring.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Robert M. Ormes (2000), Guide to the Colorado Mountains, Colorado Mountain Club Press, ISBN 9780967146607, p. 224.
  2. ^ a b c "Crystal Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Crystal Peak - 12,779' CO". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Crystal Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  5. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.
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