Sawatch Mountains, Colorado

The Sawatch Range is a mountain range in central Colorado containing several of the Rocky Mountain's highest peaks, including Mount Elbert, at 14,440 feet – the highest peak in the Rockies. In total, fifteen peaks topping 14,000 feet are found in the Sawatch Mountain Range.

In general, the Sawatch Mountains are high, massive and relatively gentle in contour. While some peaks are rugged and require technical climbing, most peaks can be reached by simply hiking. Notable summits include Mount Elbert, Mount Massive, the Mount of the Holy Cross, and the Collegiate Peaks made up of Mount Columbia, Mount Harvard, Mount Princeton and Mount Yale.

The Sawatch Mountain Range forms a portion of the Continental Divide, and its eastern flanks are drained by the headwaters of the Arkansas River and Eagle River. The western side of the range feeds the headwaters of the Roaring Fork River and the Gunnison River.

Aspen, Colorado is only 20 miles to the west of the Sawatch Mountains. Colorado State Highway 82 traverses the range at Independence Pass, which is typically open only from late spring to mid autumn, also traversed by Hagerman Pass to the north – which connects the Arkansas Headwaters near Leadville with the upper valley of the Fryingpan River. Hagerman Pass is traversable with four-wheel drive vehicles and on foot during summer and early autumn months.

The range contains numerous hiking trails within the White National Forest and the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness. A world of backcountry adventure is waiting in the Sawatch Mountains just outside of Aspen, Colorado.