Mountain Range

Sawatch Range summits

Named peaks, snowpack stations, streamflow gauges and watersheds in the Sawatch Range. Built for climbers, hikers, anglers, paddlers, and anyone curious about how the range is faring this season.

Named summits
24
Highest peak
14,433ft
SNOTEL stations
30
USGS gauges
50
Open the Sawatch Range on the map Every peak, gauge, and SNOTEL station overlaid on terrain.
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May
20
2026
Range overview
The Sawatch Range is a mountain range located in central Colorado, USA. The range spans approximately 90 miles and is part of the Rocky Mountains. The Sawatch Range is known for its numerous high peaks, including Mount Elbert, which is the highest peak in Colorado, and the second-highest peak in the contiguous United States. Other notable peaks in the range include Mount Massive, La Plata Peak, and Mount Antero. The range is also rich in hydrology, with several major rivers and streams originating from its peaks, including the Arkansas River, which flows through the nearby towns of Buena Vista and Salida. The Sawatch Range has a unique history, with Native American tribes using the area for hunting and gathering, and later on, explorers and settlers passing through the area. Today, the Sawatch Range is a popular destination for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
Sawatch Range at a glance

Range-wide overview

The Sawatch Range in four data points -- summits, climate stations, and water-flow coverage.

Highest peak

Mount Elbert 14,433 ft

Most prominent named summit in the range.

Average elevation

Across 24 summits 14,001 ft

Mean of every named peak Snoflo tracks here.

Climate stations

SNOTEL + USGS gauges 30 + 50

Real-time snowpack and streamflow coverage.

Watersheds drained

HUC sub-basins touched 4

Hydrologic sub-basins the range feeds.

Summit inventory

Sawatch Range named peaks

Every named summit Snoflo tracks in the Sawatch Range, sorted by elevation. Elevation is heat-mapped to highlight the alpine zone. Tap any peak for its full report.

24 peaks
Peak Elevation
Mount Elbert 14,433 ft
Mount Massive 14,428 ft
Mount Harvard 14,420 ft
La Plata Peak 14,336 ft
Mount Antero 14,269 ft
Mount Shavano 14,229 ft
Mount Belford 14,197 ft
Mount Princeton 14,197 ft
Mount Yale 14,196 ft
Tabeguache Peak 14,155 ft
Mount Oxford 14,153 ft
Mount Columbia 14,073 ft
Missouri Mountain 14,067 ft
Mount Of The Holy Cross 14,005 ft
Huron Peak 14,003 ft
Grizzly Peak 13,988 ft
Mount Ouray 13,971 ft
Ice Mountain 13,951 ft
Mount French 13,940 ft
Mount Hope 13,933 ft
Rinker Peak 13,783 ft
Henry Mountain 13,254 ft
Notch Mountain 13,237 ft
Chrysolite 12,822 ft
Climate signal

Snowpack & streamflow in the Sawatch Range

Live readings from every SNOTEL station and USGS streamgauge feeding the range's drainages.

SNOTEL snowpack

Station Snowpack SWE Elev
Brumley 1.0 in 0.6 in 10,600ft
Fremont Pass 20.0 in 7.2 in 11,400ft
Saint Elmo 2.0 in 0.4 in 10,540ft
South Colony 3.0 in 0.9 in 10,800ft
Buena Vista,Co · · 7,979ft
Climax Coop · · 11,601ft
Nathrop 3.3 Wsw, Co · · 8,143ft
Nathrop 1.9 Wsw, Co · · 7,949ft
Butte · · 10,160ft
Park Cone · 0.2 in 9,600ft
Upper Taylor · · 10,640ft
Crested Butte Coop · · 8,875ft
Crested Butte 6.2 N, Co 0.5 in · 9,554ft
Gothic · · 10,404ft
Chapman Tunnel · 0.2 in 10,110ft
Independence Pass · 0.1 in 10,600ft
Ivanhoe 1.0 in 0.1 in 10,400ft
Kiln · · 9,600ft
Nast Lake · · 8,700ft
North Lost Trail · 0.1 in 9,200ft

USGS streamflow

Gauge Flow Gage Elev
Grape Creek Near Westcliffe, Co. 7.53 cfs 0.55ft 7,690.0ft
Arkansas River At Parkdale, Co. 456.0 cfs 2.71ft 5,719.0ft
Arkansas River Near Wellsville, Co. 342.00 cfs 3.27ft 6,899.0ft
Arkansas River At Salida, Co. 278.00 cfs 2.83ft 7,062.0ft
Arkansas River Near Nathrop, Co. 319.0 cfs 3.77ft 7,377.0ft
Arkansas River Below Granite, Co 219.0 cfs 11.28ft 8,629.0ft
Clear Creek Above Clear Creek Reservoir, Co. 73.40 cfs 3.37ft 8,895.0ft
Arkansas River At Granite, Co. 129.00 cfs 1.30ft 8,929.0ft
Lake Creek Above Twin Lakes Reservoir, Co. 199.00 cfs 3.19ft 9,315.0ft
Twin-Lakes Tunnel At E Portl, Nr Twin Lakes, Co. 110.00 cfs 1.63ft 10,482.0ft
Arkansas River Below Empire Gulch Near Malta, Co 98.1 cfs 2.99ft 9,287.0ft
Halfmoon Creek Near Malta, Co. 23.5 cfs 1.64ft 9,838.0ft
Lake Fork Below Sugar Loaf Reservoir, Co. 15.80 cfs 0.50ft 9,865.0ft
Arkansas River Near Leadville, Co. 47.7 cfs 4.88ft 9,720.0ft
Ef Arkansas R At Us Hiway 24, Nr Leadville, Co. 22.9 cfs 2.72ft 9,913.0ft
East River At Almont Co. 354.0 cfs 3.47ft 8,007.0ft
Taylor River At Almont, Co. 253.0 cfs 1.92ft 8,018.0ft
East River Bl Cement Creek Nr Crested Butte, Co. 380.0 cfs 2.06ft 8,444.0ft
Taylor River Below Taylor Park Reservoir, Co. 150.0 cfs 3.79ft 9,180.0ft
Taylor River At Taylor Park, Co. 121.0 cfs 1.73ft 9,333.0ft
Outdoor recreation

What to do in the Sawatch Range

Climbing, hiking, fishing, paddling, and more -- everything Snoflo tracks for the range.

Mountain activities

1. Hiking: The Sawatch Range offers numerous hiking trails for all skill levels, from easy strolls to challenging treks. Some popular hikes include the 14er Mt. Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado, and the iconic 14er Mt. Harvard.

2. Camping: With its stunning mountain views and pristine alpine lakes, camping in the Sawatch Range is a popular activity. Many campgrounds and dispersed camping areas are available throughout the range, providing opportunities for both backcountry and car camping.

3. Mountain Biking: The Sawatch Range offers a variety of mountain biking trails, from smooth singletrack to challenging downhill descents. Trails like the Monarch Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail provide thrilling rides with breathtaking scenery.

4. Fishing: The Sawatch Range is home to numerous lakes, rivers, and streams teeming with trout and other fish species. Anglers can enjoy a day of fishing in the crystal-clear waters of places like Twin Lakes or the Arkansas River.

5. Rock Climbing: The Sawatch Range offers countless opportunities for rock climbing, with granite and limestone cliffs providing challenging routes for climbers of all skill levels. Popular climbing areas include Buena Vista's Turtle Rock and Independence Pass.

6. Wildlife Viewing: The Sawatch Range is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and bears. Nature enthusiasts can spot these animals in their natural habitats while hiking or camping in the area.

Overall, the Sawatch Range offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities for visitors to enjoy, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
FAQ

About the Sawatch Range

How many named peaks are in the Sawatch Range?

Snoflo tracks 24 named summits in the Sawatch Range. The highest is Mount Elbert at 14,433 feet.

Where does the elevation data come from?

Peak elevations are pulled from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Snoflo's named-summit registry. Snowpack readings come from the NRCS SNOTEL network; streamflow from USGS gauges in the range's drainages.

Are these all walk-up summits?

No. The list ranges from drive-up overlooks to technical alpine objectives. Tap any peak for its full report, route notes, and trip-planning data. Always check weather, avalanche, and trip-report sources before heading out.

How often is the data updated?

Peak elevation is static reference data. Snowpack and streamflow readings refresh continuously from the NRCS and USGS public feeds throughout the day.

Can I get alerts for stations in this range?

Yes. Save any SNOTEL station or USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (snowpack inches, discharge cfs), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

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