Purple Mountain (Colorado)

Purple Mountain is a summit in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States.

Purple Mountain
Northwest aspect, centered
(Peak 12781 to the right)
Highest point
Elevation12,958 ft (3,950 m)[1][2]
Prominence1,172 ft (357 m)[3]
Parent peakMount Owen (13,070 ft)[3]
Isolation1.58 mi (2.54 km)[3]
Coordinates38°59′30″N 107°06′12″W / 38.9916511°N 107.1033702°W / 38.9916511; -107.1033702[4]
Geography
Purple Mountain is located in Colorado
Purple Mountain
Purple Mountain
Location in Colorado
Purple Mountain is located in the United States
Purple Mountain
Purple Mountain
Purple Mountain (the United States)
CountryUnited States
StateColorado
CountyGunnison County
Protected areaRaggeds Wilderness
Parent rangeRocky Mountains
Elk Mountains
Ruby Range[1]
Topo mapUSGS Oh-be-joyful
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 2 hiking[3]
via Yule Pass[1]

Description

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Purple Mountain, elevation 12,958-feet (3,950 m), is situated in the Elk Mountains which are a subrange of the Rocky Mountains.[2] The peak is located 11 miles (18 km) northwest of the community of Crested Butte in the Raggeds Wilderness, on land managed by Gunnison National Forest and White River National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's east slope drains into headwaters of the Slate River; the southwest slope drains into Middle Anthracite Creek, thence North Fork Gunnison River; and the northwest slope drains into headwaters of Yule Creek which is a tributary of the Crystal River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,960 feet (902 m) above Middle Anthracite Creek in 1.2 mile (1.93 km). The landform's toponym was officially adopted on April 4, 1906, by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[4] This landform should not be confused with Purple Peak, five miles to the south.

Climate

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According to the Köppen climate classification system, Purple Mountain 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. ^ a b c Scott Warren (2002), Exploring Colorado's Wild Areas, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9780898867848, p. 139.
  2. ^ a b "Purple Mountain, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d "Purple Mountain - 12,956' CO". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Purple Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved May 15, 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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