Black Giant

Black Giant
Black Giant
	East Face
Highest point
Elevation	13,330 ft (4,060 m)
Prominence	1,090 ft (330 m)
Parent peak	Mount Fiske (13,503 ft)
Isolation	2.60 mi (4.18 km)
Listing	Sierra Peaks Section
Coordinates	37°06′08″N118°38′55″W / 37.1022388°N 118.6487071°W Coordinates: 37°06′08″N118°38′55″W / 37.1022388°N 118.6487071°W
Geography
	Black Giant Location in California Black Giant Black Giant (the United States)
Location	Kings Canyon National Park ; Fresno County ; California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Topo map	USGS Mount Goddard
Geology
Type of rock	metamorphic
Climbing
First ascent	1905, George R. Davis
Easiest route	Western side class 1

Last updated March 18, 2023

Black Giant is a 13,330-foot-elevation (4,060-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States.^[3] Black Giant ranks as the 86th highest summit in California.^[2] It is the northernmost and highest summit on its namesake ridge, the Black Divide in northern Kings Canyon National Park. The peak is situated 3.9 miles (6.3 km) east of Mount Goddard, and 2.6 miles (4.2 km) south-southeast of Mount Fiske, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) above Le Conte Canyon in approximately two miles. Muir Pass is 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to the northwest, and the approach to this remote peak is made via the John Muir Trail.

History

This mountain was bestowed its descriptive name in 1904 by Joseph Nisbet LeConte, a Sierra Nevada explorer and cartographer.^[3] LeConte wrote: "A few miles to the south rose a particularly inviting point, which certainly commands a peerless view. But time forbade an ascent this year, so I named it the Black Giant, and wondered how long it would stand as it has so far stood, an untrodden summit."^[5]

The first ascent of the summit was made in 1905 by George R. Davis, USGS topographic engineer.^[5]

In creating the map of the Mount Goddard quadrangle, 1907–1909, the USGS named this peak "Mount Goode", apparently unaware of LeConte's earlier naming. The Black Giant name was restored and officially adopted in 1926 by the United States Board on Geographic Names, and the Goode name was transferred to the present location of Mount Goode, five miles to the east-northeast of Black Giant.^[3]

Climbing

Established climbing routes:^[6]

West Slope – class 1 – First Ascent 1905
South Slope – class 2
Southeast Ridge – class 3 – FA 1971
Northeast Face – class 4 – FA 1966 by Steve Roper

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Black Giant is located in an alpine climate zone.^[7] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range (orographic lift). This climate supports four small glaciers on the northeast aspect.^[6] Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Middle Fork Kings River.

Gallery

East aspect from Le Conte Canyon
West aspect from Muir Pass
West aspect
Black Giant beyond Muir Pass
East aspect from LeConte Canyon
Black Giant behind (left) Muir Hut at Muir Pass

Related Research Articles

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Emerald Peak is a 12,546-foot-elevation (3,824-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. It is situated in northern Kings Canyon National Park, southwest of Evolution Valley, and 2.3 miles (3.7 km) northwest of Mount McGee, the nearest higher neighbor. Other nearby peaks include The Hermit, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the east, and Peter Peak, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the southeast. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over 3,500 feet above Goddard Canyon in 1.5 mile. The John Muir Trail passes to the northeast, providing an approach.

Mount McGee is a 12,944-foot-elevation (3,945-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. It is situated in northern Kings Canyon National Park, 0.6 miles (0.97 km) southeast of Peter Peak, 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of The Hermit, and 2.6 miles (4.2 km) north-northwest of Mount Goddard, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 3,100 feet above Goddard Canyon in two miles. This geographical feature was named for William John McGee (1853–1912), well-known American geologist and anthropologist. This mountain's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. The first ascent of the summit was made in July 1923 by Roger N. Burnham, Robert E. Brownlee, Ralph H. Brandt, and Leonard Keeler.

Mount Henry is a 12,196-foot-elevation (3,717-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated on the Le Conte Divide, along the shared boundary of John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park, and 3.7 miles (6.0 km) northwest of Emerald Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,800 feet above South Fork San Joaquin River in two miles. The John Muir Trail passes to the northeast, providing an approach option.

Mount Bago is an 11,870-foot-elevation (3,620-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the southeast corner of Fresno County, in northern California. It is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, 14 miles (23 km) west of the community of Independence, 2.3 miles west of the Kearsarge Pinnacles, and 2.4 miles southwest of Mount Rixford. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 3,675 feet above Junction Meadow in one mile. The John Muir Trail passes to the northeast of this remote geographical feature. The first ascent of the summit was made July 11, 1896, by Joseph Nisbet LeConte and Wilson S. Gould.

Devils Crags is a 12,424-foot-elevation (3,787-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. This jagged line of 11 pinnacles is situated at the southern end of the Black Divide in northern Kings Canyon National Park, 1.88 miles (3.03 km) south of The Citadel, and one mile southeast of Wheel Mountain, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Devils Crags ranks as the 299th highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 4,200 feet above Le Conte Canyon in approximately two miles. An approach to this remote peak is made possible via the John Muir Trail which passes through Le Conte Canyon, below to the east. The class 5 Northwest Arête is considered one of the classic climbing routes in the Sierra Nevada.

Mount McDuffie is a 13,291-foot-elevation (4,051-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. This peak is situated in northern Kings Canyon National Park, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) northwest of The Citadel, and two miles south of Black Giant, which is the nearest higher neighbor. McDuffie ranks as the 93rd highest summit in California, and the second-highest point on Black Divide. Topographic relief is significant as it rises nearly 4,900 feet above Le Conte Canyon in approximately 2.5 miles. An approach to this remote peak is made possible via the John Muir Trail.

Mount Baldwin is a 12,614-foot-elevation (3,845-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is four miles north of Red and White Mountain, and approximately 10.5 miles (16.9 km) southeast of the community of Mammoth Lakes. The nearest higher neighbor is Red Slate Mountain, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the south-southwest. Baldwin ranks as the 257th highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,775 feet above McGee Canyon in 1.5 mile. The first ascent of the summit was made July 2, 1928, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.

Wheel Mountain is a 12,774-foot-elevation (3,894-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. This mountain is situated on the Black Divide in northern Kings Canyon National Park, one mile northwest of Devils Crags, and two miles south-southeast of Mount McDuffie, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Wheel Mountain ranks as the 216th-highest summit in California, and the fifth-highest on Black Divide. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 4,500 feet above Enchanted Gorge in approximately 1.5 mile, and the east aspect rises 4,500 feet above Le Conte Canyon in 2.5 miles. An approach to this remote peak is made possible via the John Muir Trail.

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Scylla is a 12,956-foot-elevation (3,949 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County, California, United States. This peak is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, 1.27 miles (2.04 km) southwest of Charybdis, 2.3 miles (3.7 km) southeast of Mount Goddard, and 2.57 miles (4.14 km) west of Mount McDuffie. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,150 feet above Enchanted Gorge in approximately one mile. The John Muir Trail provides one possible approach option to this remote peak. An ascent of the peak is non-technical via the northwest slope, and inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest in this peak.

Mount Reinstein is a 12,586-foot-elevation (3,836 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County, California, United States. This peak is situated on the common boundary shared by Kings Canyon National Park with John Muir Wilderness, and it is the highest point on LeConte Divide. Reinstein ranks as the 260th-highest summit in California. It is set 2.7 miles (4.3 km) west of Scylla and 2.0 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Mount Goddard. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 1,600 feet above Martha Lake in less than one mile. An ascent of the peak is non-technical, and inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest in this remote peak.

References

1 2 3 "Black Giant, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
1 2 3 "Black Giant - 13,330' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
1 2 3 4 "Black Giant". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-04-12.
↑ Alan M. Hedden and David R. Brower, A Climber's Guide to the High Sierra (1954)
1 2 Francis P. Farquhar, Place Names of the High Sierra (1926)
1 2 R. J. Secor, The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails, 2009, Third Edition, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9781594857386, page 279.
↑ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.

External links

Weather forecast: Black Giant
Black Giant photo by Ansel Adams
Black Giant photo: Flickr

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[pb-1] 1 2 3 "Black Giant, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.

[listsofjohn-2] 1 2 3 "Black Giant - 13,330' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-12.

[gnis-3] 1 2 3 4 "Black Giant". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-04-12.

[4] Alan M. Hedden and David R. Brower, A Climber's Guide to the High Sierra (1954)

[yosemite.ca.us-5] 1 2 Francis P. Farquhar, Place Names of the High Sierra (1926)

[J._Secor,_2009-6] 1 2 R. J. Secor, The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails, 2009, Third Edition, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9781594857386, page 279.

[Peel-7] Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.

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