Mount Gunnison is a prominent 12,725-foot summit in Colorado’s West Elk Mountains, within the West Elk Wilderness of Gunnison National Forest and west by south of Crested Butte. Rising distinctly in this rugged part of the Rocky Mountains, it stands out in a remote high-country landscape. The mountain was named for explorer John Williams Gunnison, whose name was also given to Gunnison County and other regional landmarks. Today it remains part of a protected backcountry area valued for its wilderness character and mountain scenery.