Fremont Peak

Overview

Fremont Peak looms over the desert community of Cañon City Colorado and makes up an imposing section of the northeast rim of the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River. This scrappy little desert peak is part of a very small sub-range of mountains called the Gorge Hills. These peaks are relatively low but covered in diverse desert flora and in addition to views into the Royal Gorge, they provide dynamite views of the Sangre de Cristos as well as an unusual vista of Pikes Peak from the south.

Fremont Peak is the highpoint of a narrow ridge of land with abrupt drops on both the east and the west. As a result, a visit to this peak is a pleasantly invigorating desert outing with knock-out views.

Colorado Rank: 4027^th highest peak in Colorado
Prominence: 813 feet
USGS Quad: Royal Gorge
Trails Illustrated Map: #135 (Pikes Peak, Cañon City)


*Rank and Prominence Reference: Lists of John

Getting There

Fremont Peak rises near the mouth of the Royal Gorge on the north rim, only three miles as the crow flies from the center of Cañon City, in Fremont County, Colorado. The main major road servicing this area is US Highway 50.

Red Tape

Fremont Peak resides in and is accessible via the Cañon City Royal Gorge & Park.

Though a hefty fee is required to access the Royal Gorge bridge and amusement park area, it is free to access Fremont Peak from the city park to the north of the peak. Parking is free, as well.

Camping

Cañon City Royal Gorge Park
Cañon City Recreation & Parks operates a simple first come, first served campground that would be very convenient to the primary route for this peak.

Red Canyon Park
According to the Trails Illustrated map of the area, camping is available in this Cañon City park located north of Cañon City via Rt 9 (which becomes Shelf Road).

Shelf Road Recreation Area
The Bureau of Land Management operates two campgrounds in the Shelf Road Recreation Area about 12 miles north of Cañon City. The Bank (13 sites) and Sand Gulch (16 sites) each have tent pads, picnic tables, fire grates and a vault toilet.

Oak Creek
The National Forest Service operates a free, year-round campground about 16 miles south of Cañon City via County Road 143 (Oak Creek Grade Road). There are 16 sites, but no water is available (haul your own).

Weather & Seasons

The mountains around Cañon City are typically warmer and dryer than other mountains of higher elevation in Colorado. Summers in this area can be painfully – or even dangerously – hot, and very dusty. The record high temperature for Cañon City is 118°F (48°C). If visiting Fremont Peak the summer, you may wish to opt for an early morning sunrise hike or a late evening sunset hike. Fall would be a pleasant time to visit Fremont Peak, with moderate temperatures and dry roads making for easy access. It is tempting to visit this area in Winter and Spring when access to the high country is limited by deep drifts blocking roads and high avalanche danger, but note that steep, rocky areas may be slick or even dangerous when snow covered and the north-facing slopes of the ridge Fremont Peak is a part of could be impassible in very deep snow.

Images

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