Sunlight Peak - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

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Mountain Peaks

About Sunlight Peak

Sunlight Peak, the 39th highest, is one of three 14ers located deep in the rugged Needle Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. The standard route up Sunlight Peak is from the south, known as the "Red Couloir". It is a non-technical scramble, but achieving the top of the summit block does require an exposed rock climbing move.

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Hotels near Sunlight Peak

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Activities Around

Attractions Near Sunlight Peak

Windom Peak

Windom Peak

0.73km from Sunlight Peak

Windom Peak is the 34th highest peak in Colorado and is part of a group of three fourteeners- Sunlight, Windom, and Eolus. The mountain was named in honor of Minnesota senator William Windom. It have a strong wilderness character; however they can be popular in summer.

Jupiter Mountain

Jupiter Mountain

1.67km from Sunlight Peak

Jupiter Mountain is Colorado's 92nd highest peak. Jupiter sits at the head of Needle Creek and shares the remote Chicago Basin with four fourteeners--South Mount Eolus, North Mount Eolus, Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak--so it is an often overlooked mountain by those who venture into Chicago Basin. Jupiter Mountain also boasts some fun snow climbing on the mountain's north side. As these routes are snow climbs, they are best done in winter or spring when there's good snowpack.

Jagged Mountain

Jagged Mountain

2.29km from Sunlight Peak

Jagged Mountain is one of the most popular destinations in San Juan County. The mountain is home to a variety of hiking trails, as well as a number of scenic overlooks. The summit of Jagged Mountain offers views of the nearby 14ers, including Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. In addition, the mountain is home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep and eagles. Jagged Mountain is accessible via a number of different trailheads, and there are also a number of camping options in the area.

Chicago Basin

Chicago Basin

2.3km from Sunlight Peak

Chicago Basin in the northern part of La Plata County is undoubtedly one of the premier hiking areas in Colorado. It lies within the Weminuche Wilderness, part of the San Juan National Forest. The basin is a popular destination in summer for climbers and backpackers. The standard route of access to Chicago Basin is somewhat unusual.

Mount Eolus

Mount Eolus

2.3km from Sunlight Peak

Mount Eolus is a high mountain summit of the Needle Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is one of three fourteeners in the Needle Mountains; the others are Sunlight Peak and Windom Peak. These mountains are among the most remote of Colorado's fourteeners and have a strong wilderness character.

Turret Peak

Turret Peak

3.87km from Sunlight Peak

Turret Peak is the highest of three Turret Peaks in Colorado, the 89th highest peak in the state and less than a half mile southeast of Pigeon Peak. It was named because of its interesting rock faces and turrets and is the highest of the Turret Needles. The summit provides a great view of Pigeon Peak's east face and the Grenadier Mountains to the north.

Discover More Attractions in La Plata County, Home of Sunlight Peak

La Plata County

La Plata County

29 attractions

La Plata County is one of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. The county is home to Durango Rock Shelters Archeology Site, the type site for the Basketmaker II period of Anasazi culture.

Location of Sunlight Peak

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For more information about Sunlight Peak, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight_Peak