Tenmile Range
Encyclopedia
The Tenmile Range is a mountain range
in U.S. state of Colorado
. The range is an extension of the Mosquito Range
which is part of the Rocky Mountains
. The two ranges are effectively the same range. They are split only by the Continental Divide and name. The Tenmile Range is on the west side of the divide, and the Mosquito on the east. The range is often referred to as the Tenmile-Mosquito Range.
The range is famous for its skiing, both backcountry
and resort areas. There are ten peaks in the range named Peak 1 through Peak 10. Skiing is also on Peaks 7-10
in Breckenridge.
The highest point in the range is Quandary Peak
with an elevation of 14,265 feet.
The Tenmile Range includes Pacific Tarn
, believed to be the highest named
lake in the United States.
Mountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
in U.S. state of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. The range is an extension of the Mosquito Range
Mosquito Range
The Mosquito Range is a high mountain range in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States. The peaks of the range form a ridge running north-south for approximately 40 miles from southern Summit County on the north end, then along the boundary between Lake and Park counties...
which is part of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
. The two ranges are effectively the same range. They are split only by the Continental Divide and name. The Tenmile Range is on the west side of the divide, and the Mosquito on the east. The range is often referred to as the Tenmile-Mosquito Range.
The range is famous for its skiing, both backcountry
Backcountry skiing
Backcountry skiing is skiing in a sparsely inhabited rural region over ungroomed and unmarked slopes or pistes, including skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas either within the ski resort's boundaries or in the backcountry, frequently amongst trees , usually in pursuit of fresh fallen powder...
and resort areas. There are ten peaks in the range named Peak 1 through Peak 10. Skiing is also on Peaks 7-10
Breckenridge Ski Resort
Breckenridge Ski Resort, or just Breck, is perenially one of North America's top 2 most visited ski resorts, and is located in Summit County, Colorado in the town of Breckenridge...
in Breckenridge.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Established in 1859, the historic town of Breckenridge is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Summit County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the town had a population of 4,540. The town also has many part-time residents, as many people have vacation homes in the area...
The highest point in the range is Quandary Peak
Quandary Peak
Quandary Peak is a fourteener in the US state of Colorado and the highest peak in the Tenmile Range, a northern extension of the Mosquito Range. It is the 12th, 13th, or 14th highest peak in Colorado, depending on how it is ranked. It has nearly the same elevation as Castle Peak and Mount Evans...
with an elevation of 14,265 feet.
The Tenmile Range includes Pacific Tarn
Pacific Tarn
Pacific Tarn is a small lake located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the United States. It is notable for its 13,420 foot elevation, making it the highest lake in the United States whose name is recognized by the United States Board on Geographic Names.The lake sits atop the broad eastern...
, believed to be the highest named
United States Board on Geographic Names
The United States Board on Geographic Names is a United States federal body whose purpose is to establish and maintain uniform usage of geographic names throughout the U.S. government.-Overview:...
lake in the United States.
Peaks over 13,500 ft in Elevation
- Quandary PeakQuandary PeakQuandary Peak is a fourteener in the US state of Colorado and the highest peak in the Tenmile Range, a northern extension of the Mosquito Range. It is the 12th, 13th, or 14th highest peak in Colorado, depending on how it is ranked. It has nearly the same elevation as Castle Peak and Mount Evans...
14,265 - Fletcher Mountain 13,951
- Pacific Peak
- Unnamed Peak 13,900
- Crystal Peak 13,852
- Atlantic Peak 13,841
- Wheeler Mountain 13,690
- Peak 10 13,633
- Father Dyer Peak 13,615
- North Star Mountain 13,614
Unusual Peaks (and the peaks of Breckenridge)
- Peak 1 is the northernmost of the ten main peaks on the Ten Mile Range. This peak used to have a ski jumping hill for the town of Frisco.
- Peak 6 is to the north of Breckenridge, ColoradoBreckenridge, ColoradoEstablished in 1859, the historic town of Breckenridge is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Summit County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the town had a population of 4,540. The town also has many part-time residents, as many people have vacation homes in the area...
and in recent years, Breckenridge Ski ResortBreckenridge Ski ResortBreckenridge Ski Resort, or just Breck, is perenially one of North America's top 2 most visited ski resorts, and is located in Summit County, Colorado in the town of Breckenridge...
has proposed expansions onto this peak. - Peak 7 is currently the northernmost of the four peaks making up Breckenridge Ski Resort. The upper segment, with a recognizable hump, contains various expert bowl skiing reachable via a hike from the T-Bar. Below the bowl terrain is a variety of blue cruising runs, serviced by the Independence SuperChair six pack, the new Lodge at Peak 7, and a midway terminal on the BreckConnect Gondola. The Shock Hill Development sits below "Peak 7."
- Peak 8, directly to the south of Peak 7, is best known for having the highest lift in North America, the Imperial Express SuperChair, topping out near the top of the peak at 12,840 feet. The top of the peak is the highest point of Breckenridge Ski Resort. The above treeline segments consist of a variety of bowls like Horseshoe Bowl, Contest Bowl, Cucumber Bowl, and Imperial Bowl. Below tree line, a variety of terrain from learning trails off Lift 7 to advanced cruising runs off the Colorado and Rocky Mountain SuperChairs and mogul runs off Lift 6 exist to cater to skiers of most levels.
- Peak 9 is the first of the four peaks of BreckenridgeBreckenridge Ski ResortBreckenridge Ski Resort, or just Breck, is perenially one of North America's top 2 most visited ski resorts, and is located in Summit County, Colorado in the town of Breckenridge...
to not contain above tree line terrain, thus the high alpine area is all backcountry terrain. Skiing terrain doesn't start until below tree line, at around 11,460 feet. This area consists of intermediate terrain, varying from mogul runs off Lifts C and E to cruising terrain off the Beaver Run and Mercury SuperChairs. Below that is a lot of learning green trails, serviced by a triple chairlift (Lift A), and a unique double loading six pack (Quicksilver Super6). - Peak 10 is the last of the peaks to be numbered. From its bottom at the top of Quicksilver up, there come a variety of blue black, black, and double black runs, serviced by a detachable quad (Falcon SuperChair), and then various backcountry types of terrain and lots of basins.
See also
- Colorado mountain ranges
- Geography of ColoradoGeography of ColoradoThe geography of the state of Colorado is diverse, encompassing both rugged mountainous terrain, vast plains, desert lands, desert canyons, and mesas. The state of Colorado is defined as the geospherical rectangle that stretches from 37°N to 41°N latitude and from 102°03'W to 109°03'W longitude . ...
- List of highest mountain peaks in Colorado