El Diente Peak

El Diente Peak is a high summit in the San Miguel Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The 14,165-foot (4,317 m) peak is located in the Lizard Head Wilderness of San Juan National Forest, 10.5 miles (16.9 km) north by east (bearing 8°) of the Town of Rico in Dolores County, Colorado, United States. "El Diente" is Spanish for "The Tooth", a reference to the shape of the peak.[1][2][3]

El Diente Peak
El Diente Peak from Mount Wilson
Highest point
Elevation14,165 ft (4,317 m) [1][2]
Prominence239 ft (73 m) [2]
Parent peakMount Wilson[2]
Isolation0.75 mi (1.21 km) [2]
Coordinates37°50′22″N 108°00′19″W [3]
Naming
English translationThe Tooth
Language of nameSpanish
Geography
El Diente Peak
LocationDolores County, Colorado, U.S.[3]
Parent rangeSan Miguel Mountains[2]
Topo mapUSGS 7.5' topographic map
Dolores Peak, Colorado[3]
Climbing
Easiest routeDifficult scramble class 3 on loose rock

Climbing

The topographic prominence of El Diente Peak is only 239 feet (73 m), so by a strict 300-foot (91 m) cutoff rule, it would not be counted as a separate peak from its higher neighbor Mount Wilson. However, the 3/4 mile (1.2 km) connecting ridge is a significant climbing challenge (Class 4/5), making El Diente more independent than its prominence would indicate.[4] Hence, it is often regarded as a full-fledged fourteener.

El Diente is one of the more dramatic peaks in Colorado in terms of local relief and steepness. As a result, it is one of the most challenging climbs among Colorado's fourteeners. All routes involve at least class 3 scrambling on loose talus, and poor route-finding can expose the climber to more difficult and dangerous terrain.

Historical names
  • El Diente
  • El Diente Peak [3]

See also

References
  1. The elevation of El Diente Peak includes an adjustment of +1.906 m (+6.25 ft) from NGVD 29 to NAVD 88.
  2. "El Diente Peak, Colorado". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  3. "El Diente Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  4. Dawson, Louis W., II (1994). Dawson's Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners. vol. 1. Blue Clover Press. ISBN 0-9628867-1-8.
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