Curecanti Needle

Curecanti Needle
The Curecanti Needle photographed ca. 1884.
Elevation	7,739 ft (2,359 m) [1]
Prominence	700 ft (213 m)
Location
Location	Curecanti National Recreation Area Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
Coordinates	38°26′56″N 107°24′51″W / 38.44889°N 107.41417°W / 38.44889; -107.41417Coordinates: 38°26′56″N 107°24′51″W / 38.44889°N 107.41417°W / 38.44889; -107.41417
Geology
Type	Pillar

The Curecanti Needle is a distinct granite rock formation near Curicante, Colorado. Rising approximately 215 m or 700 ft from the canyon floor, with its pointy shape and being situated on the shore of the former Gunnison River it is one of the landmarks of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Until 1882, its location remained remote to most human beings but the arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad mainlines through the canyon significantly changed this. The train ride along the Gunnison River greatly contributed to the railway earning a reputation as one of many scenic views. The Curecanti Needle in particular featured as an example of the beautiful surroundings of the railroads lines during 1887 to 1926 as it appeared in drawn logos of the railroad company.

Today the rock does not appear quite as prominent as before since the Gunnison River water level has risen and converted into Morrow Point Lake. The lake is in effect the dam reservoir after the completion of the Crystal Dam about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) down stream in 1976.

References

1. ^ "Curecanti Needle". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:188179. Retrieved 16 September 2008. 

External links

• Curecanti National Recreation Area - National Parks Service

Photographs

• The Curecanti Needle and a D&RGWRR train in 1944, photo by Otto C. Mears
• Current photos on Sangres.com