Elk Mountains

Some of the peaks currently listed:

1. Arkansas Mountain
2. Capitol Peak
3. Castle Peak
4. Cathedral Peak
5. Clark Peak
6. Hagerman Peak
7. Hayden Peak
8. Hilliard Peak
9. Hunter Peak
10. Keefe Peak
11. Maroon Peak
12. Mt Owen A
13. North Maroon Peak
14. Peak 13,631
15. Peak 13,722
16. Pearl Mountain
17. Precarious Peak
18. Pyramid Peak
19. Sleeping Sexton
20. Snowmass Mountain
21. Snowmass Peak
22. Sopris Mountain
23. Thunder Pyramid
24. Treasure Mountain
25. Treasury Mountain
26. West Elk Peak
27. White Rock Mountain
28. Willoughby Mountain

The Elk Mountains are a high, rugged mountain range on the western side of the Continental Divide. The range is roughly east of the Crystal River, southwest of Aspen, and south of the Roaring Fork River valley. Much of the range is located within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area, the White River National Forest and the Gunnison National Forest. The Elks form a particularly beautiful range, including eight of the state’s 14’ers and numerous class IV standard routes on varied rock.

The range generally receives heavy winter snowfalls due to its location west of the continental divide. There are few roads that traverse the range other than State Hwy.133 over McClure Pass. Otherwise it requires back road travel or hiking trails to really see the wonders of the Elks. The views of the Maroon Bells from Maroon Lake are an almost irresistible invitation to climb its peaks.

The range has a rich history from the mining days of the late 1800’s. The most famous town near the range is Aspen, which began as a mining boomtown. The nearby abandoned remains of the town of Ashcroft are some of the best in the state. The Elks are impressive and leave a vivid memory in the minds of its climbers.