サンフアン郡の絶景の山頂・トップ4

Take a good look at Engineer Mountain, with its peak resembling a volcanic plug from a massive eruption 25–30 million years ago, sitting above a broad base. From the south, it looks like a balanced pyramid.

At 12,968 feet, Engineer Mountain doesn't quite qualify as a Colorado 13er. That being said, it is one of the most unique and fun mountains in the San Juans. The ridge up to the summit involves some class 2 and class 3 moves, but the route is clear and easy to follow. This is a great route to introduce someone to class 3 travel, and you are not lacking any views once you reach the summit.

This is a perfect spot for a picture postcard view of the Grenadier Range: You can see Garfield Peak, Greystone Peak, Electric Peak with Arrow Peak, Vestal Peak and Trinity Peaks in the background (from right). The Grenadiers and Needles are the only places in the San Juans where the basement rock withstood the range's period of volcanism. The range was uplifted around 70 million years ago. During the San Juans' period of volcanic activity, nearly the entire surface was covered with layers of lava and ash flows, but the volcanic flows would only lap at the Grenadiers' feet.

From here you can look south out over Maggie Gulch, Canby Mountain, Sheep Mountain, and the Weminuche Wilderness. The Hardrock 100 route and a few old abandoned gold mines can be seen throughout the valley.

From here you can look south out over Maggie Gulch, Canby Mountain, Sheep Mountain, and the Weminuche Wilderness. The Hardrock 100 route and a few old abandoned gold mines can be seen throughout the valley.

Snowdon Peak (13,077 feet) is a lesser climbed peak on the edge of the Weminuche Wilderness. The summit requires a class 2 scramble with a non-exposed class 3 move near the very top. The views from the top are of the Chicago Basin 14er group and back towards Engineer Mountain and Andrews Lake.

At 12,968 feet, Engineer Mountain doesn't quite qualify as a Colorado 13er. That being said, it is one of the most unique and fun mountains in the San Juans. The ridge up to the summit involves some class 2 and class 3 moves, but the route is clear and easy to follow. This is a great route to introduce someone to class 3 travel, and you are not lacking any views once you reach the summit.

This is a perfect spot for a picture postcard view of the Grenadier Range: You can see Garfield Peak, Greystone Peak, Electric Peak with Arrow Peak, Vestal Peak and Trinity Peaks in the background (from right). The Grenadiers and Needles are the only places in the San Juans where the basement rock withstood the range's period of vulcanism. The range was uplifted around 70 million years ago. During the San Juans' period of volcanic activity, nearly the entire surface was covered with layers of lava and ash flows, but the volcanic flows would only lap at the Grenadiers' feet.