Mount Sopris, Colorado

Mount Sopris sits just south of the town of Carbondale, Colorado where the Crystal River meets the Roaring Fork River. Although Mount Sopris is not one of the classic 14'ers of Colorado, it is regarded as one of the most impressive mountains in the state with a twin summit of 12,953 feet. It towers above the town of Carbondale and the Roaring Fork River Valley in a very dramatic fashion, rising over 6,000 feet in a few miles.

The high mountains of Colorado's Elk Range are among the finest peaks in the Rockies. As a part of wilderness designation, these protected mountains are rugged, steep and aesthetically pleasing. Crystal clear stream, pristine alpine lakes and lush green vegetation are common sights.

Mount Sopris is the striking northern sentinel of the Elk Mountains in White River National Forest. Mount Sopris has two summits – East Mount Sopris and West Mount Sopris are of equal height and are easily climbed together. The East summit is attained by the Mount Sopris Trail and is the more popular of the two. The trail begins at the Dinkle Lake parking area and offers the easiest and most pragmatic way to get up Mount Sopris. There is no trail to the summit of West Mount Sopris but it is accessible adding about a half hour to summit or 0.7 miles and offers very similar views.

Due to Mount Sopris' prominence rising above the agrarian Roaring Fork Valley it has been endlessly photographed from below. The mountain's enchanting beauty is largely derived from the rich geologic history that shaped the Elk Mountains. The white rock that makes up Sopris is beautiful as it stands in stark contrast to the lush greens of Elk Mountain vegetation and the red, purples and yellows of the surrounding sedimentary rocks.

From any vantage point – whether from the Roaring Fork River Valley or on one of Mount Sopris' summits – the overwhelming beauty of this area is not to be missed!