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Coordinates: 37°23′N 104°57′W / 37.38°N 104.95°W / 37.38; -104.95
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{{short description|Pair of mountains in Colorado, United States}}
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The '''Spanish Peaks''' are a pair of prominent mountains located in southwestern [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano County]], [[Colorado]]. The [[Comanche people|Comanche]] people call them '''Huajatolla''' ({{IPAc-en|w|a:|h|a:|'|t|oi|@}} {{respell|wah|hah|TOY|ə}}) meaning "double mountain".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Christofferson|first1=Nancy|title=The Spanish Peaks: Legends|url=https://huerfanoworldjournal.com/the-spanish-peaks-legends/|accessdate=August 19, 2020|work=Huerfano World Journal|date=June 25, 2015}}</ref>
The '''Spanish Peaks''' are a pair of prominent mountains located in southwestern [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano County]], [[Colorado]]. The [[Comanche people|Comanche]] people call them '''Huajatolla''' ({{IPAc-en|w|a:|h|a:|'|t|oi|@}} {{respell|wah|hah|TOY|ə}}) or '''Wa-ha-toy-yah''' meaning "double mountain"


The two peaks, [[West Spanish Peak]] ({{cvt|13626|ft||disp=sqbr|}}) and [[East Spanish Peak]] ({{cvt|12683|ft|disp=sqbr||}}), are east of, and separate from, the [[Culebra Range]] of the [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]. West Spanish Peak is the easternmost mountain over {{cvt|13000|ft|||}} in the United States. The Spanish Peaks are situated {{convert|100|mi}} due south of [[Colorado Springs]].
The two peaks, [[East Spanish Peak]] at elevation {{convert|12688|ft}} and [[West Spanish Peak]] at elevation {{convert|13631|ft}}, are east of, and separate from, the [[Culebra Range]] of the [[Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]. Both of the Spanish Peaks are higher than any point in the United States farther east. The Spanish Peaks are situated {{convert|100|mi}} due south of [[Colorado Springs]].


The Spanish Peaks were formed by two separate shallow (or [[hypabyssal]]) [[igneous]] intrusions during the Late-[[Oligocene]] epoch of the [[Paleogene]] Period.<ref>{{cite book |title=Roadside Geology of Colorado |last=Chronic |first=Halka |year=1998 |publisher=Mountain Press Publishing Company |isbn=0-87842-105-X |page=36}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
The Spanish Peaks were formed by two separate shallow (or [[hypabyssal]]) [[igneous]] intrusions during the Late-[[Oligocene]] epoch of the [[Paleogene]] Period.<ref>{{cite book |title=Roadside Geology of Colorado |last=Chronic |first=Halka |year=1998 |publisher=Mountain Press Publishing Company |isbn=0-87842-105-X |page=36}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
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}}</ref> West Spanish Peak is an older (24.59 +/- 0.13 Ma) quartz syenite. East Spanish Peak (23.36 +/- 0.18 Ma) is composed of a granodiorite porphyry surrounded by a more aerially-extensive exposure of granite porphyry. The granite porphyry represents the evolved upper portion of the magma chamber while the interior granodiorite porphyry is exposed by erosion at the summit.<ref name="Penn">{{cite thesis|last=Penn|first=B. S.|title=An Investigation of the temporal and geochemical characteristics and petrogenetic origins of the Spanish Peaks intrusive rocks of south-central Colorado|publisher=Colorado School of Mines|year=1994|pages=199}}</ref><ref name="Penn2">{{cite journal|last=Penn|first=B.S.|author2=Lindsey, D.A. |title=40Ar/39Ar dates for the Spanish Peaks intrusions of south-central Colorado|journal=Rocky Mountain Geology|year=2009|volume=44|number=1|pages=17–32|doi=10.2113/gsrocky.44.1.17}}</ref>
}}</ref> West Spanish Peak is an older (24.59 +/- 0.13 Ma) quartz syenite. East Spanish Peak (23.36 +/- 0.18 Ma) is composed of a granodiorite porphyry surrounded by a more aerially-extensive exposure of granite porphyry. The granite porphyry represents the evolved upper portion of the magma chamber while the interior granodiorite porphyry is exposed by erosion at the summit.<ref name="Penn">{{cite thesis|last=Penn|first=B. S.|title=An Investigation of the temporal and geochemical characteristics and petrogenetic origins of the Spanish Peaks intrusive rocks of south-central Colorado|publisher=Colorado School of Mines|year=1994|pages=199}}</ref><ref name="Penn2">{{cite journal|last=Penn|first=B.S.|author2=Lindsey, D.A. |title=40Ar/39Ar dates for the Spanish Peaks intrusions of south-central Colorado|journal=Rocky Mountain Geology|year=2009|volume=44|number=1|pages=17–32|doi=10.2113/gsrocky.44.1.17}}</ref>


The Spanish Peaks were designated a [[National Natural Landmark]] in 1976 as one of the best known examples of igneous [[dike (geology)|dikes]].<ref>{{cite web
The Spanish Peaks were designated a [[National Natural Landmark]] in 1976 as two of the best known examples of igneous [[dike (geology)|dikes]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/pdf/RevisedRegistryJune2009.pdf
|url=http://www.nature.nps.gov/nnl/pdf/RevisedRegistryJune2009.pdf
|title=National Registry of Natural Landmarks
|title=National Registry of Natural Landmarks
|date=June 2009
|date=June 2009
|publisher=National Park Service
|publisher=National Park Service
}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
}}</ref>


They were an important landmark on the [[Santa Fe Trail]]. The mountains can be seen as far north as [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] ({{Convert|102|mi|disp=sqbr}}), as far west as [[Alamosa, Colorado|Alamosa]] ({{Convert|85|mi|disp=sqbr}}), points south to [[Raton, New Mexico]] ({{Convert|65|mi|disp=sqbr}}), and points east of Trinidad (up to {{Convert|30|mi|disp=sqbr}}).
They were an important landmark on the [[Santa Fe Trail]], the first sighting of the [[Rocky Mountains]] for travelers on the trail. The mountains can be seen as far north as [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] ({{Convert|102|mi|disp=sqbr}}), points south to [[Raton, New Mexico]] ({{Convert|65|mi|disp=sqbr}}), and points on the [[Great Plains]] east of Trinidad (up to {{Convert|100|mi|disp=sqbr}}). A classic book about travel to the region in the 1840s is ''Wah-to-yah and the Taos Trail,'' by [[Lewis Garrard]].


The [[Spanish Peaks Wilderness]] area of {{cvt|17855|acre|sqmi km2|0|}} encompasses the summits of both Spanish peaks. Hiking is popular in the wilderness area.
The [[Spanish Peaks Wilderness]] area of {{cvt|17855|acre|sqmi km2|0|}} encompasses the summits of both Spanish peaks. Hiking is popular in the wilderness area.
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[[Category:Mountains of Colorado]]
[[Category:Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]
[[Category:Sangre de Cristo Mountains]]
[[Category:Mountains of Huerfano County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Mountains of Huerfano County, Colorado]]

Latest revision as of 15:54, 24 December 2024

Spanish Peaks
Huajatolla
Highest point
PeakWest Spanish Peak
Elevation13,631 ft (4,155 m) NAVD 88 [1]
Prominence3,666 ft (1,117 m)[1]
Coordinates37°22′32″N 104°59′36″W / 37.375588°N 104.993396°W / 37.375588; -104.993396[1]
Dimensions
Area28 sq mi (73 km2)
Geography
Spanish Peaks is located in Colorado
Spanish Peaks
Spanish Peaks
Map of Colorado
LocationHuerfano County, Colorado
Range coordinates37°23′N 104°57′W / 37.38°N 104.95°W / 37.38; -104.95
Designated1976

The Spanish Peaks are a pair of prominent mountains located in southwestern Huerfano County, Colorado. The Comanche people call them Huajatolla (/wɑːhɑːˈtɔɪə/ wah-hah-TOY-ə) or Wa-ha-toy-yah meaning "double mountain"

The two peaks, East Spanish Peak at elevation 12,688 feet (3,867 m) and West Spanish Peak at elevation 13,631 feet (4,155 m), are east of, and separate from, the Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Both of the Spanish Peaks are higher than any point in the United States farther east. The Spanish Peaks are situated 100 miles (160 km) due south of Colorado Springs.

The Spanish Peaks were formed by two separate shallow (or hypabyssal) igneous intrusions during the Late-Oligocene epoch of the Paleogene Period.[2][3] West Spanish Peak is an older (24.59 +/- 0.13 Ma) quartz syenite. East Spanish Peak (23.36 +/- 0.18 Ma) is composed of a granodiorite porphyry surrounded by a more aerially-extensive exposure of granite porphyry. The granite porphyry represents the evolved upper portion of the magma chamber while the interior granodiorite porphyry is exposed by erosion at the summit.[4][5]

The Spanish Peaks were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1976 as two of the best known examples of igneous dikes.[6]

They were an important landmark on the Santa Fe Trail, the first sighting of the Rocky Mountains for travelers on the trail. The mountains can be seen as far north as Colorado Springs (102 miles [164 km]), points south to Raton, New Mexico (65 miles [105 km]), and points on the Great Plains east of Trinidad (up to 100 miles [160 km]). A classic book about travel to the region in the 1840s is Wah-to-yah and the Taos Trail, by Lewis Garrard.

The Spanish Peaks Wilderness area of 17,855 acres (28 sq mi; 72 km2) encompasses the summits of both Spanish peaks. Hiking is popular in the wilderness area.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Spanish Peaks". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ Chronic, Halka (1998). Roadside Geology of Colorado. Mountain Press Publishing Company. p. 36. ISBN 0-87842-105-X.
  3. ^ "Igneous Petrology of the Spanish Peaks". February 2012.
  4. ^ Penn, B. S. (1994). An Investigation of the temporal and geochemical characteristics and petrogenetic origins of the Spanish Peaks intrusive rocks of south-central Colorado (Thesis). Colorado School of Mines. p. 199.
  5. ^ Penn, B.S.; Lindsey, D.A. (2009). "40Ar/39Ar dates for the Spanish Peaks intrusions of south-central Colorado". Rocky Mountain Geology. 44 (1): 17–32. doi:10.2113/gsrocky.44.1.17.
  6. ^ "National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
[edit]



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