Nokhu Crags
Encyclopedia
Nokhu Crags is a mountain peak and rock formation in the Rocky Mountains
of southeastern Jackson County, Colorado
, reaching an elevation of 12485 feet (3,805.4 m). It is located within State Forest State Park
just northwest of Rocky Mountain National Park
. The peak is a part of the Never Summer Mountains
on the northwest side of the continental divide, near the headwaters of the Michigan River
. The peak is prominently visible from the west side of Cameron Pass
, and from State Highway 14
. It can also be seen throughout the southern North Park
basin where it is known also known as "the Crags" or "Sleeping Indian" for its resemblance to the form of a supine chief. To the east lies the shallow basins of Snow Lake
and the Michigan or American Lakes. To the west the mountain descends directly into the deep waters of Lake Agnes.
. The magma cooled into granitic formations and nearby, now vertical, shale metamorphosed into the hornfels
that forms the present day Nokhu Crags. After millions of years of erosion and glaciation, the vertical fin-like form of the Nohku Crags was exposed. Erosion continues to reshape the Crags, as evidenced by the extensive talus field at its base.
Today the mountain is a barren, almost treeless form, virtually devoid of vegetation. During the day pika
and mountain goats may be seen and heard on the steep slopes. In the afternoon light green and orange hues of lichen covering the face of the rocks becomes apparent. In the evening thousands of bats stream from nooks and crannies of the western face. In the winter the Nokhu Crags are covered with deep snow and the flanks are the scene of frequent avalanches.
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...
of southeastern Jackson County, Colorado
Jackson County, Colorado
Jackson County is the fourth-least densely populated of the Colorado 64 counties of the U.S. state of Colorado. The county population was 1,577 at the 2000 Census. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Walden.- History :...
, reaching an elevation of 12485 feet (3,805.4 m). It is located within State Forest State Park
State Forest State Park
State Forest State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Jackson and Larimer counties east of Walden, Colorado. The park was established in 1970 in the Medicine Bow Range of the Rocky Mountains. Facilities include a visitors center, over 200 campsites, cabins, picnic sites, boat ramps and of...
just northwest of Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
. The peak is a part of the Never Summer Mountains
Never Summer Mountains
The Never Summer Mountains are a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado in the United States. The range is located along the northwest border of Rocky Mountain National Park, forming the continental divide between the headwaters of the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain...
on the northwest side of the continental divide, near the headwaters of the Michigan River
Michigan River
The Michigan River is a tributary of the North Platte River, approximately long, in north central Colorado in the United States. It drains a rural part of the eastern side of North Park in eastern Jackson County. The river issues from Michigan Lakes, a chain of alpine lakes at , along the...
. The peak is prominently visible from the west side of Cameron Pass
Cameron Pass (Colorado)
Cameron Pass is a elevation mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado in the United States. The pass is a gap between the south end of the Medicine Bow Mountains and the north end of the Never Summer Mountains. It sits on the border between Jackson County and Larimer County,...
, and from State Highway 14
Colorado State Highway 14
State Highway 14 in the U.S. state of Colorado is an east–west state highway approximately long. One of the longest state highways in Colorado, it traverses four counties along the northern edge of the state, spanning a geography from the continental divide in the Rocky Mountains to the...
. It can also be seen throughout the southern North Park
North Park (Colorado basin)
North Park is a high, sparsely populated basin in the Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado in the United States. It encompasses a wide valley in Jackson County rimmed by mountain ranges at the headwaters of the North Platte River and several smaller tributaries, including the Michigan River,...
basin where it is known also known as "the Crags" or "Sleeping Indian" for its resemblance to the form of a supine chief. To the east lies the shallow basins of Snow Lake
Snow Lake
Snow Lake may refer to*Snow Lake, Manitoba*Snow Lake, Pakistan* Snow Lake *Snow Lake, New Mexico*Snow Lake, Chelan County, Washington*Snow Lake, King County, Washington*Snow Lake, Mount Rainier...
and the Michigan or American Lakes. To the west the mountain descends directly into the deep waters of Lake Agnes.
Geology
The rocks of the peak were formed as a sedimentary deposit millions of years ago in an ancient ocean basin. The entire region was subsequently thrust up with the formation of the Medicine Bow Range at the close of the Mesozoic Era. Around 24–29 million years ago, rising magma began to create volcanoes that were the predecessors of the Never Summer MountainsNever Summer Mountains
The Never Summer Mountains are a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains in north central Colorado in the United States. The range is located along the northwest border of Rocky Mountain National Park, forming the continental divide between the headwaters of the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain...
. The magma cooled into granitic formations and nearby, now vertical, shale metamorphosed into the hornfels
Hornfels
Hornfels is the group designation for a series of contact metamorphic rocks that have been baked and indurated by the heat of intrusive igneous masses and have been rendered...
that forms the present day Nokhu Crags. After millions of years of erosion and glaciation, the vertical fin-like form of the Nohku Crags was exposed. Erosion continues to reshape the Crags, as evidenced by the extensive talus field at its base.
Today the mountain is a barren, almost treeless form, virtually devoid of vegetation. During the day pika
Pika
The pika is a small mammal, with short limbs, rounded ears, and short tail. The name pika is used for any member of the Ochotonidae, a family within the order of lagomorphs, which also includes the Leporidae . One genus, Ochotona, is recognised within the family, and it includes 30 species...
and mountain goats may be seen and heard on the steep slopes. In the afternoon light green and orange hues of lichen covering the face of the rocks becomes apparent. In the evening thousands of bats stream from nooks and crannies of the western face. In the winter the Nokhu Crags are covered with deep snow and the flanks are the scene of frequent avalanches.