The Rocky Mountains are one of the most well-known mountain chains in the United States. And the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains is the highest peak in the contiguous United States. The highest mountains in the United States overall are all in Alaska. But down in the lower 48 states the highest mountains in the U.S. are in the Rockies.
Technically the Rocky Mountains stretch through six different states: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, and sometimes Arizona and New Mexico. But the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains are all in Colorado. Climbing the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains is a great way to train for climbing higher peaks in Alaska and around the world.
10 Tallest Rocky Mountains
It’s not really a surprise that the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains, as well as the rest of the ten highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains, are in Colorado. Colorado is known for the enormous mountains and wilderness that occupies much of the state. The 10 tallest mountains in the Rocky Mountains are:
Mount Elbert
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,440 feet
Nearby City: Leadville
Known For: Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains, and the highest peak in Colorado. It’s the second highest peak in the United States. This stunning snow-capped mountain sits just outside the tiny Colorado town of Leadville. Leadville was originally a gold-mining town and a place where settlers heading West could get supplies. Now it’s a fantastic mountain town where hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can find great food, local beers, and all the supplies they will need to take on Mount Elbert.
One of the unique things about Mount Elbert is that even though it’s quite tall you don’t need a lot of hiking experience to climb it. Even those people who have just basic hiking knowledge and experience can climb this mountain, as long as they can handle the altitude. There are five total routes that you can take to the summit but the North and South Mount Elbert Trails are the easiest ones.
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Mount Massive
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,429
Nearby City: Leadville
Known For: Mount Massive is also in the Leadville area and not that far from Mount Elbert. It’s the second highest peak in the Rocky Mountains but the summit of Mount Massive is vastly different than the summit of Mount Elbert. The summit of Mount Massive has five peaks stretched across a three mile long ridge. If you look at the skyline from just about anywhere in Leadville you will see Mount Massive’s five peaks looming over the town.
There are many routes and trails you can take to get to various points on Mount Massive. It’s easy to hike to the summit and down in just a day for most people. But, always bring cold weather gear, food, and lots of water so that you have plenty of energy and are prepared for bad weather. If you’re in pretty good shape and you want to see some spectacular views try the Tour de Massive trail which will take you over all five peaks in a loop that will bring you back down the mountain.
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Mount Harvard
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,423 feet
Nearby City: Buena Vista
Known For: Mount Harvard is another one of the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains that’s located in Colorado. Even though this mountain has a high elevation of over 14,000 feet it’s only a moderately challenging mountain to hike. If you love to fish as well as hike you will find there is fantastic fishing at Bear Lake located on Mount Harvard.
This is a popular area for hikers, trail runners, campers, and fishing enthusiasts so the trails might be crowded when you go. If you’re going to try and reach the summit in one day you need to start early because it’s a 22 mile out and back hike. If you love a challenge you can try hiking both Mount Harvard and the neighboring mountain, Mount Colombia.
There is a 2.5 mile rock ledge you can use to get between the two mountains. But that ledge is a tough slog with very rapid elevation gain and loss. So if you are going to attempt to do both mountains be ready for a rock scramble and some mountain climbing on that rock ridge.
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Blanca Peak
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,345 feet
Nearby City: Alamosa
Known For: Blanca Peak is known for the three jagged peaks that make up the summit of the mountain and for the spectacular views that can be seen from the top of the mountain. In addition to the wide angle view of the forests on the mountain you can also see some of Great Sand Dunes National Monument which is not that far away. And you can enjoy a gorgeous aerial view of Lake Como which sits on the west side of the mountain.
Most hikers who want to climb Blanca Peak approach it from the west side coming up through the Lake Como area. That’s generally regarded to the easiest approach. But this is not an easy trek for hikers unless they have some mountain hiking or climbing experience. The mountain is densely forested and has long stretches that are rocky and uneven. Once you get near the top the snow and cold can be problems for hikers too. Make sure that you’re prepared for anything if you’re going hike Blanca Peak.
Nicholas Courtney/Shutterstock.com
La Plata Peak
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,343 feet
Nearby City: Buena Vista
Known For: La Plata Peak is a massive mountain that is popular with hikers that are determined to hike all mountains in the United States over 14,000 feet. It’s a relatively challenging hike. Most hikers choose to approach the summit using the La Plata Peak North Summer Trail which is the easiest trail to the summit. However, once hikers get close to the summit they will hit a very challenging rocky ledge that must be gotten over in order to get to the summit.
Ellingwood Ridge is the last ridge before the summit and it’s tough for anyone that doesn’t have real mountain climbing experience. You will need to climb and scramble over some serious rocks to make it up the ridge and across it to the summit. If you’re attempting this hike for the first time make sure that you have a first aid kit with you. It’s also a good idea to hike with someone who has successfully made it over Ellingwood Ridge before.
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Uncompahgre Peak
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,314 feet
Nearby City: Lake City
Known For: Uncompahgre Peak is one of the prettiest of all the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains. When you’re hiking on this mountain you’ll have a nice easy hike on trails that wander through forests, fields of wildflowers, and by streams. You will probably see a lot of wildlife if you’re hiking Uncompahgre Peak in the spring and summer.
Uncompahgre Peak provides the closest hiking experience to a real Alpine hiking experience like you would find in Europe. In the springtime the fields of flowers that you will go through if you take the Nellie Creek trail will make you think you’re hiking in the Alps. It’s a fantastic place to hike.
Nyker/Shutterstock.com
Crestone Peak
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,294 feet
Nearby City: Westcliffe
Known For: Crestone Peak is located within the Rio Grande National Forest. It’s not the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains but it’s the most challenging for many hikers. This mountain is seen as the biggest challenge of all the mountains over 14,000 feet in Colorado. It’s very remote and it is a difficult mountain to climb. In fact, at one point it was thought that it was impossible to climb.
While it is actually possible to climb Crestone Peak you must be in good physical shape and have mountaineering experience to have a chance of reaching the summit. When you attempt to climb it you should do so with friends who are also experienced mountain climbers. Pack plenty of food and water as well as emergency medical supplies. However, if you’re up to the challenge of climbing Crestone Peak the views will make it worth the effort. This is truly a once in a lifetime mountain climb to experience.
Nicholas Courtney/Shutterstock.com
Mount Lincoln
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,291 feet
Nearby City: Alma
Known For: Mount Lincoln is a fairly easy hike for a mountain that is over 14,000 feet in elevation. Quite often people will climb Mount Lincoln and the two mountains that are next it Mount Bross and Mount Democrat all in the same day. Although, to do all three mountains in one day means that you have to get to a pretty early start in the morning. And you need to keep a fast pace going all day. But it’s possible to hike to the summit and down on all three mountains in the same day.
If you don’t want to rush the experience you can stay in Alma or camp at Kite Lake. You can drive all the way to Kite Lake and park in one of the parking areas near the lake. However, getting to Kite Lake requires crossing several streams and rivers and you should scout them first to make sure they are passable before you drive up there.
Tabor Chichakly/Shutterstock.com
Castle Peak
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,279 feet
Nearby City: Castle Rock
Known For: Castle Rock is a fun mountain to hike because it has a permanent snow field near the summit so even in the heat of summer you can experience snow. If you’re not from Colorado this can be a great thing to see. If you’re from Colorado it’s probably not as exciting for you since snow is a regular occurrence in Colorado.
Hiking Castle Rock isn’t that difficult so it’s a good hike for beginner hikers that are trying to become intermediate hikers. However, it’s about 20 miles out and back so it can take a full day to reach the summit and get done. It’s a popular mountain for trail runners, cyclists, and horseback riders so you will probably find that the trails are a bit crowded during certain times of the year.
Thomas Kreulin/Shutterstock.com
Grays Peak
Located in: Colorado
Height: 14,278 feet
Nearby City: Georgetown
Known For: Grays Peak sits right next to a smaller mountain called Torrey Peak. Often hikers will hike these two mountains together because both are nice easy hikes. If you want to hike both mountains in the same day start with Torrey Peak because it’s a nice easy route to start with that will give you a bit of a warmup before you climb Grays Peak.
Just make sure that you check out the road conditions before you head out to the base of these mountains. The approach is very rugged, and sometimes cars can’t make it past high water or through mud on the way to the trailhead. If your vehicle won’t make it through the seasonal muck to get to the trail you can always grab a ride with other hikers. It’s a very popular hiking spot.
Images by Dr. Alan Lipkin/Shutterstock.com
10 Tallest Mountains In The Rocky Mountain Range
- Mount Elbert
- Mount Massive
- Mount Harvard
- Blanca Peak
- La Plata Peak
- Uncompahgre Peak
- Crestone Peak
- Mount Lincoln
- Castle Peak
- Grays Peak
Highest Peak In The Rocky Mountains
Mount Elbert – 14,440 feet
Up Next
- How Old Are the Rocky Mountains?
- What States Are the Rocky Mountains In?
- How Long Are the Rocky Mountains?
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