Dawson Butte, elevation 7,474 ft (2,278 m), is a flat-topped mountain in Douglas County, Colorado. Adjacent to the mountain is the Dawson Butte Open Space, owned by Douglas County[3] and managed by the County's Division of Open Space and Natural Resources.

Dawson Butte
Dawson Butte in winter
Highest point
Elevation2,278 m (7,474 ft)[1]
Prominence711 ft (217 m)[2]
Isolation5.77 mi (9.29 km)[2]
Coordinates39°18′01″N 104°56′15″W / 39.30028°N 104.93750°W / 39.30028; -104.93750
Geography
Topo map(s)USGS
Dawson Butte

The mountain and open space are located about five miles south of Castle Rock.[4]

The publicly accessible portion of the open space covers 828 acres. A five-mile-long trail loops around the open space property. The trail is open to hikers, horseback riders, snowshoers, and mountain bikers. Dogs are allowed provided they are leashed. An old bridle path remains on the property, and some of the jumps are still set up.[3]

There is no public access to the top of the butte.[5]

Name

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Dawson Arkose, a geological formation, takes its name from the Butte, which itself was named after an early Plum Creek area settler, Thomas Dawson.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Dawson Butte". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2017-02-08.
  2. ^ a b Peakbagger. Dawson Butte, Colorado. Retrieved: 2017-02-08
  3. ^ a b Keene Ranch. Dawson Butte Open Space. Retrieved: 2017-02-09.
  4. ^ Fun Colorado Hikes. Dawson Butte Ranch Trail. Retrieved: 2017-02-09.
  5. ^ Douglas County Colorado. Dawson Butte Ranch Open Space Trail. Viewed: 2017-02-09.
  6. ^ "Dawson Butte". The Larkspur Historical Society. Retrieved 2017-12-17. The Dawson arkose geological formation which extends over much of Douglas County derived its name from Thomas Dawson and Dawson Butte.
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