Saddle Mountain

Saddle Mountain is a prominent conical landmark on the western side of Colorado’s West Elk Mountains, southeast of Crawford, rising more than 3,000 feet above the surrounding valley. Capped by North Saddle Peak and South Saddle Peak, it reaches its highest elevation at South Saddle Peak, 10,005 feet. Although its broad, steep-sided form resembles an extinct volcano, Saddle Mountain was formed differently. It is an exposed igneous intrusion called a laccolith, created when magma pushed upward underground and domed the overlying rock without erupting. Its size, shape, and clear geologic character make it a notable example of this landform in the West Elk region.

Colorado · United States