Elk Mountain is a summit in Routt County, Colorado. The mountain lies to the northwest of Steamboat Springs and is easily seen from the city, especially from along Lincoln Avenue (U.S. Route 40), Steamboat's main street. The mountain is also easily seen from Mount Werner, the home of the Steamboat Ski Resort.

Elk Mountain
The Sleeping Giant
The mountain as seen from Routt County Road 129.
Highest point
Elevation	2,660 m (8,730 ft)[1]
Prominence	507 m (1,663 ft)[2]
Isolation	20.55 km (12.77 mi)[2]
Coordinates	40°34′09″N 106°58′06″W
Geography
Elk Mountain Routt County, Colorado
Parent range	Elkhead Mountains
Topo map	Mad Creek

The Elk River flows near the mountain just before its confluence with the Yampa River in the Yampa Valley.

Legends and names

Locals refer to the mountain as "The Sleeping Giant," due to its resemblance to the profile of a prone person at sleep when viewed from Mount Werner or Steamboat Springs, and have created legends to explain this appearance.[3] [4] [5]

There are at least six other summits also named Elk Mountain in Colorado. This Elk Mountain in Routt County is not part of the Elk Mountains in West Central Colorado. Instead, it is one of the easternmost peaks in the Elkhead Mountains.

References

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