Mount Chapin

Last updated
Mount Chapin
Mount Chapin, Trail Ridge Road, Colorado.jpg
Southeast aspect, from Trail Ridge Road
Highest point
Elevation 12,454 ft (3,796 m) [1]
Prominence 414 ft (126 m) [1]
Parent peak Ypsilon Mountain (13,514 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.81 mi (2.91 km) [2]
Coordinates 40°26′01″N105°42′07″W / 40.4335592°N 105.7018123°W / 40.4335592; -105.7018123 Coordinates: 40°26′01″N105°42′07″W / 40.4335592°N 105.7018123°W / 40.4335592; -105.7018123 [3]
Naming
Etymology Frederick H. Chapin
Geography
USA Colorado relief location map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Chapin
Location in Colorado
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Chapin
Mount Chapin (the United States)
Location Rocky Mountain National Park
Larimer County, Colorado, US
Parent range Rocky Mountains
Mummy Range
Topo map USGS Trail Ridge
Climbing
Easiest route class 1 hiking [2]

Mount Chapin is a 12,454-foot-elevation (3,796-meter) mountain summit located in Rocky Mountain National Park, in Larimer County, of Colorado, United States. [3] It is situated 11 miles west-northwest of the community of Estes Park, one mile east of Chapin Pass, and six miles east of the Continental Divide. Mount Chapin is part of the Mummy Range which is a subset of the Rocky Mountains. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 2,700 feet (820 meters) above Fall River in less than one mile. Neighbors include Mount Chiquita and Ypsilon Mountain to the immediate northeast, and the park's Alpine Visitor Center is three miles to the west.

Contents

Etymology

The mountain's name was officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names in 1932. [3] The name commemorates Frederick H. Chapin (1852–1900), a mountaineer, photographer, amateur archaeologist, and author who wrote the 1889 book, "Mountaineering in Colorado: The Peaks about Estes Park." [4] He is best known for his exploration of mesas and ancient Pueblo ruins found in the Mesa Verde area of southwest Colorado. He is also the namesake of Chapin Mesa which shelters the most famous cliff dwellings within Mesa Verde National Park. [5]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Mount Chapin is located in an alpine subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and cool to warm summers. [6] 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. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into the Cache la Poudre River via Chapin Creek, and south into the Fall River.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocky Mountain National Park</span> National park in Colorado, United States

Rocky Mountain National Park is an American national park located approximately 55 mi (89 km) northwest of Denver in north-central Colorado, within the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west. The eastern and western slopes of the Continental Divide run directly through the center of the park with the headwaters of the Colorado River located in the park's northwestern region. The main features of the park include mountains, alpine lakes and a wide variety of wildlife within various climates and environments, from wooded forests to mountain tundra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mummy Mountain (Colorado)</span> Mountain in Colorado, United States

Mummy Mountain is a high mountain summit in the Mummy Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,430-foot (4,093 m) thirteener is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park, 8.5 miles (13.7 km) northwest by north of the Town of Estes Park in Larimer County, Colorado, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mummy Range</span>

The Mummy Range is a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado in the United States. The range is a short subrange of the Front Range located in southwestern Larimer County northwest of the town of Estes Park. It is located largely within Rocky Mountain National Park, extending north from Trail Ridge Road approximately 15 mi (24 km). The Arapaho name is "nooku-bee3ei-no," which translates to "White Owls."

Frederick Hastings Chapin was an American businessman, mountaineer, photographer, amateur archaeologist and author. He is best known for his exploration of mesas and ancient Pueblo ruins found in the Mesa Verde area of Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ypsilon Mountain</span> Mountain in Colorado, United States

Ypsilon Mountain, elevation 13,520 ft (4,121 m), is in the Mummy Range of Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado. The mountain, along with Mount Chiquita, is most easily accessed from a trailhead on Fall River Road to the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Chiquita</span> Mountain in Colorado, United States

Mount Chiquita is a mountain summit in the Mummy Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,075-foot (3,985 m) thirteener is located in Rocky Mountain National Park, 9.8 miles (15.7 km) northwest by west of the Town of Estes Park in Larimer County, Colorado, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dallas Peak</span>

Dallas Peak is a high mountain summit in the Sneffels Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,815-foot (4,211 m) thirteener is located in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness of Uncompahgre National Forest, 3.3 miles (5.3 km) north by west of the Town of Telluride, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide between Ouray and San Miguel counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilpin Peak</span>

Gilpin Peak is a high mountain summit in the Sneffels Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 13,700-foot (4,176 m) thirteener is located in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness of Uncompahgre National Forest, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) north-northeast of the Town of Telluride, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide between Ouray County and San Miguel County. Gilpin Peak was named in honor of William Gilpin, the first Governor of the Territory of Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Lookout (Colorado)</span>

Point Lookout is an 8,427-foot elevation sandstone summit located in Mesa Verde National Park, in Montezuma County of southwest Colorado. This prominent landmark is situated 2 miles (3.2 km) south of the park entrance, and 9.3 miles (15.0 km) east-southeast of the town of Cortez, and towers 1,600 feet above the surrounding terrain of Mancos Valley. Soldiers from Fort Lewis army post used its lofty position to send heliographic signals to troops campaigning in the west. A trail climbs 2.2 miles round-trip to the top and offers views of Montezuma and Mancos valleys, as well as the La Plata Mountains. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Garfield (San Juan County, Colorado)</span>

Mount Garfield is a 13,074-foot-elevation (3,985-meter) mountain summit located in San Juan County, Colorado, United States. It is situated eight miles south of the community of Silverton, in the Weminuche Wilderness, on land managed by San Juan National Forest. It is part of the San Juan Mountains range which is a subset of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Animas River. The peak can be seen from U.S. Route 550 and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over 4,300 feet above the river and railway in approximately one mile. It is set six miles west of the Continental Divide, one mile west of Electric Peak, and three miles east-southeast of Snowdon Peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mears Peak</span>

Mears Peak is a 13,496-foot-elevation (4,114-meter) mountain summit located on the common boundary of Ouray County with San Miguel County, in Colorado, United States. It is situated six miles northwest of the community of Telluride, in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness, on land managed by Uncompahgre National Forest. It is part of the Sneffels Range which is a subset of the San Juan Mountains, which in turn is part of the Rocky Mountains. Mears Peak is situated west of the Continental Divide, and 3.8 miles west of Mount Sneffels. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 4,900 feet above the San Miguel River in approximately 5.5 miles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Peak (San Juan Mountains)</span> Mountain in Colorado

Electric Peak is a 13,292-foot-elevation (4,051-meter) mountain summit located in San Juan County, Colorado, United States. It is situated eight miles south of the community of Silverton, in the Weminuche Wilderness, on land managed by San Juan National Forest. It is part of the Needle Mountains which are a subset of the San Juan Mountains, which in turn is a subset of the Rocky Mountains. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Animas River. The peak can be seen from U.S. Route 550 and the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over 4,500 feet above the river and railway in approximately two miles. It is set five miles west of the Continental Divide, and one mile east of Mount Garfield. The mountain's name, which has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names, was in use before 1906 when Henry Gannett published it in the Gazetteer of Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine Mountain</span>

Sunshine Mountain is a 12,930-foot-elevation (3,940-meter) mountain summit located in San Miguel County, in Colorado, United States. It is situated nine miles southwest of the community of Telluride, in the Lizard Head Wilderness, on land managed by Uncompahgre National Forest. It is part of the San Juan Mountains which is a subset of the Rocky Mountains. Sunshine Mountain is situated 24 miles west of the Continental Divide, 2.75 miles east of Wilson Peak, and 1.8 mile northeast of Lizard Head, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,700 feet above Bilk Creek in approximately one mile. The mountain is composed of rock of the San Juan Formation overlaying Telluride Conglomerate, in turn overlaying Mancos Shale. The mountain's name, which has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names, was in use before 1899 when Henry Gannett published it in A Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Potosi Peak</span> Mountain in Colorado, United States

Potosi Peak is a 13,786-foot-elevation (4,202-meter) mountain summit located in Ouray County of Colorado, United States. It is situated five miles southwest of the community of Ouray, on land managed by Uncompahgre National Forest. It is part of the Sneffels Range which is a subset of the San Juan Mountains, which in turn is part of the Rocky Mountains. It is situated west of the Continental Divide, 2.2 miles south of Whitehouse Mountain, and 2.5 miles southeast of Mount Sneffels. Potosi ranks as the 113th-highest peak in Colorado, and the fourth-highest in the Sneffels Range. Recreation enthusiasts heading for Yankee Boy Basin traverse below the southern base of the mountain. Topographic relief is significant as the southeast aspect rises 4,000 feet above the Camp Bird Mine in approximately 1.5 mile. The mining activity in the immediate area produced significant amounts of gold and silver. "Potosi" in Quechuan language translates to "great wealth.". The mountain's name, which has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names, was in use before 1899 when Henry Gannett published it in A Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Emma</span>

Mount Emma is a 13,581-foot-elevation (4,139-meter) mountain summit located in San Miguel County of Colorado, United States. It is situated three miles north of the community of Telluride, on the south side of Yankee Boy Basin, in the Uncompahgre National Forest. It is part of the Sneffels Range which is a subset of the San Juan Mountains, which in turn is part of the Rocky Mountains. Mount Emma is situated west of the Continental Divide, two miles south of Mount Sneffels, and 0.8 mile south of Gilpin Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Emma ranks as the 197th-highest peak in Colorado, and the 10th-highest in the Sneffels Range. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 4,830 feet above Telluride in approximately three miles. An ascent of Mt. Emma is a difficult climb with 2,180 feet of elevation gain covering three miles from Yankee Boy Basin, or 4,836 feet of elevation gain from Telluride. This mountain's name was officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Ridgway</span>

Mount Ridgway is a 13,468-foot-elevation (4,105-meter) mountain summit located in Ouray County of southwest Colorado, United States. It is situated five miles west of the community of Ouray, on land managed by Uncompahgre National Forest. It is part of the Sneffels Range which is a subset of the San Juan Mountains, which in turn is part of the Rocky Mountains. It is west of the Continental Divide, 2.2 miles east-northeast of Mount Sneffels, and 0.95 miles southwest of Whitehouse Mountain, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 3,000 feet above Blaine Basin in one mile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirque Mountain (Colorado)</span> Mountain in Colorado, United States

Cirque Mountain is a 13,686-foot-elevation (4,171-meter) mountain summit located in Ouray County of southwest Colorado, United States. It is situated six miles west of the community of Ouray, above the north side of Yankee Boy Basin, on land managed by Uncompahgre National Forest. It is part of the Sneffels Range which is a subset of the San Juan Mountains, which in turn is part of the Rocky Mountains. Cirque ranks as the 155th-highest peak in Colorado, and the ninth-highest in the Sneffels Range. It is west of the Continental Divide, 1.12 mile east of Mount Sneffels, and 0.59 mile west of Teakettle Mountain, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,000 feet above Blaine Basin in one mile, and the south aspect rises over 2,000 feet above Yankee Boy Basin in less than one mile. These basins are cirques which were carved by ancient glaciers. The mountain's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terra Tomah Mountain</span> Summit in Rocky Mountain National Park

Terra Tomah Mountain is a 12,718-foot-elevation (3,876-meter) mountain summit located in Rocky Mountain National Park, in Larimer County, of Colorado, United States. It is situated 13 miles west of the community of Estes Park, and 1.5 mile east of the Continental Divide. Terra Tomah Mountain is part of the Front Range which is a subset of the Rocky Mountains. Topographic relief is significant as the northeast aspect rises 3,300 feet above Forest Canyon in 1.5 mile. It is a prominent landmark viewed from Forest Canyon Overlook along the Trail Ridge Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayden Spire</span> Summit in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hayden Spire is a 12,480+ foot elevation (3,800 meter) pillar located in Rocky Mountain National Park, in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. It is situated 12 miles west of the community of Estes Park in Hayden Gorge, along a short spur on the Continental Divide. Hayden Spire is part of the Front Range which is a subset of the Rocky Mountains. It is the highest tower in a cluster of spires which can be viewed from Forest Canyon Overlook along the Trail Ridge Road. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 2,100 feet above Hayden Gulch in one-half mile. Neighbors include Terra Tomah Mountain two miles to the north, and Mount Julian 1.8 mile to the northwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount McCaleb</span>

Mount McCaleb is an 11,682-foot elevation (3,561 m) mountain summit located in Custer County, Idaho, United States.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mount Chapin, Colorado". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Chapin, Mount - 12,454' CO". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  3. 1 2 3 "Mount Chapin". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  4. Perry, Phyllis J. (2008). Rocky Mountain National Park. Arcadia Publishing. p. 66. ISBN   978-0-7385-5627-7.
  5. "Chapin Mesa". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  6. 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.