Kit Carson Peak and Columbia Point

Westcliffe, CO

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Kit Carson Peak and Columbia Point

Climb these two peaks that commemorate American explorers of the past and present. This is a demanding two-day trip, the hardest outing in this guide. The three summits of this massif honor American explorers of the past and present. The center peak honors the 19th century western explorer Kit Carson. The west peak is named for the space shuttle Challenger, which exploded in 1986. And in 2003, the east summit, formerly called Obstruction Peak, was renamed for the space shuttle Columbia, after its fatal mission of that year.

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Directions to: Kit Carson Peak and Columbia Point

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Trail Statistics & Information

ActivityHiking
Nearby CityWestcliffe
Length19.4 mi
Elevation Gain7,625 ft
Skill LevelMost Difficult
Duration2 days
SeasonEarly July to late September
Trailhead Elevation8,720 ft
Top Elevation14,165 ft
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