Cathedral Peak, Mountain summit in Elk Mountains range, Colorado, United States.
Cathedral Peak is a mountain in the Elk Mountains that reaches approximately 13,950 feet (4,250 m). The summit area features steep rock pinnacles and ridges located within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of White River National Forest.
The name comes from early settlers who compared the mountain's profile to European cathedral spires. It was later included in Colorado's Centennial 13ers collection, an established classification of notable peaks.
Cathedral Peak represents a significant climbing destination within Colorado's mountaineering community, drawing technical climbers to its challenging south ridge route.
The hike starts at Cathedral Lake Trailhead and requires substantial elevation gain through varied terrain and alpine conditions. Proper equipment and experience with mountain climbing are important since conditions change with the seasons.
The mountain contains several rocky gullies with varying difficulty levels that shift in accessibility as snow and ice conditions change through the warmer months. These seasonal shifts influence which routes are passable and which require additional caution.
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