Gemini (California mountain)

Last updated
Gemini
Gemini, north aspect.jpg
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation 12,880 ft (3,926 m) [1]
Prominence 800 ft (244 m) [1]
Parent peak Seven Gables (13,080 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.30 mi (2.09 km) [2]
Listing Sierra Peaks Section
Coordinates 37°17′48″N118°49′01″W / 37.2965523°N 118.8169867°W / 37.2965523; -118.8169867 Coordinates: 37°17′48″N118°49′01″W / 37.2965523°N 118.8169867°W / 37.2965523; -118.8169867 [3]
Naming
Etymology Gemini twins
Geography
Relief map of California.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Gemini
Location in California
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Gemini
Gemini (the United States)
Location Fresno County, California, U.S.
Parent range Sierra Nevada [1]
Topo map USGS Mount Hilgard
Geology
Age of rock Cretaceous
Mountain type Fault block
Type of rock granite
Climbing
First ascent 1953
Easiest route class 2 [2]

Gemini is a 12,880-foot-elevation (3,926-meter) twin-peaked mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. [3] It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. It is set 3.0 miles (4.8 km) west-southwest of Merriam Peak, 2.6 miles (4.2 km) northeast of Mount Senger, and 1.2 miles (1.9 km) southeast of Seven Gables, the nearest higher neighbor. [1] Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) above Piute Canyon in approximately three miles. Gemini ranks as the 176th-highest summit in California. [2]

Contents

History

The first ascent of the summit was made July 30, 1953, by Jim Koontz and Rosemarie Lenel. [4] The mountain's name was suggested by Chester Versteeg, a prominent Sierra Club mountaineer from Los Angeles. [5] The peak's name was officially adopted in 1954 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and promulgated in 1957. [3] Today this peak draws climbing interest because it is included on the Sierra Peaks Section's peak bagging list.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Gemini is located in an alpine climate zone. [6] 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). Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the South Fork San Joaquin River.

See also

Gemini seen from Feather Peak Gemini from Feather.jpg
Gemini seen from Feather Peak

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royce Peak</span>

Royce Peak, also known as Mount Royce, is a 13,280-foot-elevation mountain summit located west of the Royce Lakes in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California, United States. It is situated in Fresno County, in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. It is set 0.66 miles (1.06 km) southeast of Feather Peak, 0.71 miles (1.14 km) north-northwest of Merriam Peak, and the nearest higher neighbor is Bear Creek Spire, 3.44 miles (5.54 km) to the north. Royce Peak is the 89th highest summit in California. This mountain was named in 1929 by the California State Geographic Board, and later officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to honor Dr. Josiah Royce (1855–1916), philosopher, instructor, and author. The first ascent of the summit was made June 23, 1931, by Nathan Clark and Roy Crites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recess Peak</span>

Recess Peak is a 12,813-foot-elevation mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated on Mono Divide in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest, and approximately six miles east of Lake Thomas A Edison. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Hilgard, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the southeast. The John Muir Trail follows Bear Creek below the western slope of this remote peak. The summit is surrounded by arêtes and cirques, which were formed by glaciers in the past, most recently ending 13,000 years ago in the late Pleistocene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fin Dome</span>

Fin Dome is an 11,673-foot-elevation (3,558-meter) granite summit located 1.5 mile west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the southeast corner of Fresno County, in northern California. It is situated in the Rae Lakes area of Kings Canyon National Park, approximately 15.5 miles (24.9 km) west of the community of Independence. Nearby peaks include Black Mountain 1.9 miles (3.1 km) to the east, and Mount Rixford 2.1 miles (3.4 km) to the south-southeast. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 1,135 feet above Rae Lakes in one-quarter mile. The John Muir Trail passes to the east of this landmark, providing an approach. This geographical feature was named by Bolton Brown in 1899 when he explored the lake basin in its vicinity, because it resembled the fin of a sea serpent. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1910 by James Rennie, one of the foremost mountaineers of the Sierra Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Peak (California)</span> Peter Peak"California"

Peter Peak is a 12,490-foot-elevation (3,810-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of The Hermit, and 0.6 miles (0.97 km) northwest of Mount McGee, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,900 feet above Goddard Canyon in 1.5 mile. The John Muir Trail passes to the east, providing an approach. This geographical feature was named by the Sierra Club in 1938 in memory of one of their own, Peter Grubb (1919–1937), who made the first ascent of this peak in 1936. Peter died at Capri, age 18, while traveling on a bicycle tour of Italy. This mountain's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Hilgard</span>

Mount Hilgard is a 13,361-foot-elevation (4,072 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on land managed by Sierra National Forest, approximately eight miles east-southeast of Lake Thomas A Edison, and immediately above the west end of Lake Italy. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Gabb, 1.75 miles (2.82 km) to the northeast, and Recess Peak is 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the northwest. The John Muir Trail follows Bear Creek to the west of this remote peak, providing an approach. Mt. Hilgard ranks as the 82nd highest summit in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emerald Peak (California)</span>

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 northern California, United States. It is situated in 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gray Peak (California)</span>

Gray Peak is an 11,573-foot-elevation mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Madera County of northern California, United States. It is situated in Yosemite National Park, approximately 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Yosemite Valley, 1.3 mile (2.1 km) north of Red Peak, and 1.5 mile (2.4 km) south-southeast of Mount Clark. Gray Peak is the fourth-highest peak in the Clark Range, which is a subset of the Sierra Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Peak (Madera County, California)</span>

Red Peak is an 11,699-foot-elevation (3,566 meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Madera County of northern California, United States. It is situated in Yosemite National Park, approximately 10.5 miles (16.9 km) southeast of Yosemite Valley, 1.5 mile (2.4 km) south-southeast of Gray Peak, and 1.5 mile (2.4 km) northwest of Merced Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Red Peak is the second-highest peak in the Clark Range, which is a subset of the Sierra Nevada. This geographical feature's brilliant color is caused by iron-bearing minerals weathered to an iron rust which colors the granite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seven Gables</span>

Seven Gables is a 13,080-foot-elevation (3,990-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated between the east and south forks of Bear Creek in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. It is set 9 miles (14 km) southeast of Lake Thomas A Edison, 1.2 miles (1.9 km) northwest of Gemini, and 3.2 miles (5.1 km) west-southwest of Feather Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as it rises nearly 3,500 feet above Upper Bear Creek Meadows in approximately two miles. Seven Gables ranks as the 133rd highest summit in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Hitchcock (California)</span>

Mount Hitchcock is a 13,186-foot-elevation (4,019-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Tulare County, California. It is situated in Sequoia National Park, and is two miles (3.2 km) south-southwest of Mount Whitney, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) southwest of Mount Muir, and 1.1 miles (1.8 km) west of Trail Crest. Topographic relief is significant as it rises approximately 1,500 feet above Hitchcock Lakes in less than one-half mile. Mt. Hitchcock ranks as the 112th highest summit in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trojan Peak</span>

Trojan Peak is a 13,947-foot-elevation (4,251-meter) mountain summit located along the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County, California. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is 15 miles (24 km) west-northwest of the community of Lone Pine, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) southeast of Mount Versteeg, and one mile (1.6 km) south-southwest of Mount Williamson, the nearest higher neighbor. Trojan Peak is rankeds as the 16th highest peak in California. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 1,427 feet above Lake Helen of Troy in approximately one-half mile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Peak</span>

State Peak is a remote 12,620-foot-elevation (3,850-meter) mountain summit located in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated on Cirque Crest which is west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, 3.03 miles (4.88 km) west of Arrow Peak, and 2.13 miles (3.43 km) southwest of Marion Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,100 feet above State Lakes in 1.5 mile, and the southeast aspect rises 4,000 feet above South Fork Kings River in 1.5 mile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Eisen</span>

Mount Eisen is a 12,185-foot-elevation (3,714-meter) double summit mountain located on the Great Western Divide of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Tulare County of northern California. It is situated in Sequoia National Park, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) south of Lippincott Mountain. Mount Eisen ranks as the 380th highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 3,500 feet above Pinto Lake in one mile. The summit can be reached from the southeast ridge via a long class 2 hike from Black Rock Pass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodale Mountain</span>

Goodale Mountain is a 12,772-foot-elevation (3,893-meter) mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Inyo County of northern California. It is situated less than two miles southeast of Taboose Pass in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is also 16.5 miles (26.6 km) northwest of the community of Independence, and one mile northeast of Striped Mountain, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 7,200 feet above Owens Valley in 3.5 miles. It ranks as the 218th highest peak in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Genevra</span>

Mount Genevra is a remote 13,054-foot-elevation (3,979-meter) mountain summit located on the Kings–Kern Divide of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Tulare County of northern California. It is situated on the shared boundary of Kings Canyon National Park with Sequoia National Park, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of Mount Brewer, and 0.86 miles (1.38 km) east of Mount Jordan, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,025 feet above Lake Reflection in 1.5 mile. Mount Genevra ranks as the 138th highest summit in California, and the eighth highest peak on the Kings–Kern Divide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Starr</span>

Mount Starr, elevation 12,835 feet (3,912 m), is a mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on the common boundary shared by Sierra National Forest with Inyo National Forest, and along the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County. It is bound on the east by Little Lakes Valley, and is 0.8 mile northeast of Mono Pass. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,300 feet above Little Lakes Valley in approximately one-half mile (0.80 km). Neighbors include Mount Abbot, three miles to the south-southwest, Mount Morgan, 2.5 miles to the southeast, and Pointless Peak is 2.5 miles to the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Senger</span>

Mount Senger is a 12,286-foot-elevation (3,745 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is set within the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. It is situated 2.2 miles (3.5 km) southeast of Mount Hooper, 2.6 miles (4.2 km) southwest of Gemini, and 2.7 miles (4.3 km) south-southwest of Seven Gables. Senger ranks as the 348th-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 4,600 feet above the South Fork San Joaquin River in approximately three miles. The John Muir Trail traverses the south and west slopes of the mountain, providing an approach option.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Hooper</span>

Mount Hooper is a 12,349-foot-elevation (3,764 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is set within the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. It is situated 4.26 miles (6.86 km) west of Gemini, 3.6 miles (5.8 km) southwest of Seven Gables, and 2.25 miles (3.62 km) west-northwest of Mount Senger. Hooper ranks as the 326th-highest summit in California, and topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 5,000 feet above Florence Lake in approximately four miles. The John Muir Trail traverses the east slope of the mountain, providing an approach option.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot Knob (Fresno County, California)</span>

Pilot Knob is a 12,245-foot-elevation (3,732 meter) mountain summit located in Fresno County in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California, United States. It is situated at the intersection of Piute Canyon and French Canyon, in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. It is set 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Merriam Peak and three miles north of the Matthes Glaciers. Pilot Knob is the 360th-highest peak in California, and topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,800 feet above Hutchinson Meadow in approximately one mile. This mountain was likely named by the USGS during the 1907–09 survey for the Mt. Goddard Quadrangle, and the toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Julius Caesar</span>

Mount Julius Caesar is a 13,213-foot-elevation mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on the boundary that Sierra National Forest shares with Inyo National Forest, and along the common border shared by Fresno County with Inyo County. It is one mile southwest of line parent Bear Creek Spire, and 22 miles (35 km) west of the community of Bishop. Italy Pass is one-half mile immediately south of the summit, and Granite Park lies to the southeast. Mount Julius Caesar ranks as the 106th-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,000 feet above Lake Italy in 0.7 miles (1.1 km).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Gemini, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Gemini - 12,900' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  3. 1 2 3 "Gemini". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-05-12.
  4. Hervey Voge, James W. Koontz II, and George Bloom, A Climber’s Guide to the High Sierra, (1954)
  5. Erwin G. Gudde, California Place Names, University of California Press, 1969, ISBN   9780520266193, page 142.
  6. 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.