Castle Peak is the ninth highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America and the U.S. state of Colorado. The prominent fourteener is the highest summit of the Elk Mountains and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The peak is located northeast by north (bearing 32°) of the Town of Crested Butte, Colorado, United States, on the drainage divide separating Gunnison National Forest and Gunnison County from White River National Forest and Pitkin County. The summit of Castle Peak is the highest point of both counties. Mountain Castle Peak takes its name from its castellated summit. The best climbing months are June, July, August, September through the Montezuma Glacier, a permanent snowfield between Castle and Conundrum Peaks. There are two standard routes for ascent. The Northwest Ridge features a moderate snow climb followed by an easy ridge scramble. It should not be attempted late in the summer when the of loose dirt and scree meet the climber near the top of the Castle-Conundrum saddle. The Northeast Ridge features an easy snow climb, but slightly harder scrambling and route-finding once on the ridge. There are two other peaks in Colorado that have the same name: one in Eagle County at , with an elevation 11,280+ feet, (3438+ m); and the other in Mesa County at , with an elevation of 8,140 feet (2,481 m). Conundrum Peak is a northern subsummit of Castle Peak. It has two closely spaced summits; the northern is higher, with elevation of 14,040+ feet (4279+ m). It is north of Castle Peak, and has of clean topographic prominence. This does not meet the usual prominence criterion for an officially separate peak; however, it is often climbed in conjunction with Castle Peak. See also List of mountain peaks of North America List of mountain peaks of the United States List of mountain peaks of Colorado List of Colorado county high points List of Colorado fourteeners Notes References External links Mountains of Colorado Mountains of Pitkin County, Colorado Mountains of Gunnison County, Colorado White River National Forest Fourteeners of Colorado North American 4000 m summits