Culebra Peak
Culebra Peak (Spanish for "snake") is the highest summit of the Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The prominent 14,053-foot (4,283 m) fourteener is located on private land, 14.2 miles (22.8 km) east-southeast (bearing 113°) of San Luis in Costilla County, Colorado, United States.[1][2] Culebra Peak is the southernmost fourteener in the range.
Culebra Peak | |
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![]() Culebra Peak viewed from south of San Luis. | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 14,053 ft (4283 m)[1] NAVD88 |
Prominence | 4827 ft (1471 m)[1] |
Isolation | 35.4 mi (56.9 km)[1] |
Listing | |
Coordinates | 37°07′20″N 105°11′08″W[2] |
Geography | |
![]() ![]() Culebra Peak | |
Location | Costilla County, Colorado, U.S.[2] |
Parent range | Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Highest summit of the Culebra Range[1] |
Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Culebra Peak, Colorado[2] |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Northwest Ridge: Hike, class 2[3] |
Geography
Access is limited, and a fee ($150 per person as of Summer 2020) is charged to climb the peak. Ownership of and access to the land, both for recreational and other activities, have been controversial issues for many years, involving multiple lawsuits and occasional violence.[4] In 2017 the ranch the peak was offered for sale for $105 million, and sold later that year for an undisclosed amount.[5]
Culebra is the fourth-most topographically prominent peak in the state, due to its separation from other peaks by the relatively low La Veta Pass.
According to the current owners of Cielo Vista Ranch, within which the peak is located, Culebra Peak is the highest privately-owned peak in the world.[6]
See also
References
- "Culebra Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
- "Culebra Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
- "Culebra Peak Routes". 14ers.com.
- "Culebra Peak". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- "Cielo Vista Ranch — and its fourteener — in San Luis Valley sells after listing for $105 million". DenverPost.com. August 14, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- Climbing and Hiking