Grand Sentinel | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 8,518 ft (2,596 m) [1] |
Prominence | 99 ft (30 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Palmer Mountain (11,254 ft) [2] |
Isolation | 2.04 mi (3.28 km) [2] |
Coordinates | 36°47′01″N118°35′03″W / 36.7835501°N 118.5842656°W [3] |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | California |
County | Fresno |
Protected area | Kings Canyon National Park |
Parent range | Sierra Nevada Great Western Divide [1] |
Topo map | USGS The Sphinx |
Geology | |
Rock type | granitic |
Grand Sentinel is an 8,518-foot-elevation (2,596-meter) pillar located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California. [3] This landmark is situated at the northern end of the Great Western Divide, two miles west-northwest of The Sphinx, and immediately south of Kanawyers and Zumwalt Meadow. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises nearly 3,500 feet (1,100 meters) above the canyon floor in one-half mile. This feature's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. [3]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Grand Sentinel is located in an alpine climate zone. [4] 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 the peak drains into the South Fork Kings River.
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. Black Giant ranks as the 86th highest summit in California. 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 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.
Langille Peak is a 12,018-foot-elevation (3,663-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, 19 miles (31 km) west-southwest of the community of Big Pine, 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Mount Thompson, 2.8 miles (4.5 km) southwest of Mount Goode, and 2.1 miles (3.4 km) east of Black Giant. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,100 feet above Le Conte Canyon in less than one mile. The approach to this remote peak is made via the John Muir Trail.
Mount Wynne is a 13,179-foot-elevation (4,017-meter) mountain summit located one mile west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in eastern Kings Canyon National Park, 31 miles (50 km) northwest of the town of Lone Pine, 0.4 miles immediately east of Pinchot Pass, and 0.66 miles (1.06 km) south of Mount Pinchot, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Mt. Wynne ranks as the 116th highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises nearly 2,000 feet above the surrounding terrain in approximately one mile. The approach to this remote peak is made via the John Muir Trail. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1935 by a Sierra Club party.
Mount Cedric Wright is a 12,372-foot-elevation (3,771-meter) mountain summit located one mile west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in eastern Kings Canyon National Park, 13 miles (21 km) northwest of the community of Independence, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) southeast of Crater Mountain, and 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south-southeast of Mount Wynne and Pinchot Pass. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises nearly 2,000 feet above the surrounding terrain in approximately one mile. The John Muir Trail traverses below the west aspect of this remote peak. The first ascent was made August 25, 1935, by Norman Clyde.
Columbine Peak is a 12,662-foot-elevation mountain summit located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated between Palisade Basin and Dusy Basin in the Palisades area of northern Kings Canyon National Park. It is 1.54 miles (2.48 km) west of North Palisade, 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Bishop Pass, and immediately north of Knapsack Pass. This mountain's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. The first ascent of the summit was made prior to 1925 by persons unknown.
Black Mountain is a 13,291-foot-elevation (4,051-meter) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California. It is situated on the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County, as well as the shared boundary of John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. It is 10.5 miles (16.9 km) west of the community of Independence, and 4.3 miles (6.9 km) north-northwest of parent University Peak. Black Mountain ranks as the 91st highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,750 feet above Rae Lakes in approximately one mile. The John Muir Trail traverses below the west aspect of this peak, providing an approach to the mountain. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1905 by George R. Davis, a USGS topographer. This mountain is habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep, which restricts climbing from July through December, so most ascents are made in the spring.
Marion Peak is a remote 12,719-foot-elevation (3,877-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, 2.13 miles (3.43 km) northeast of State Peak, and 2.6 miles (4.2 km) northwest of Arrow Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 2,400 feet above Marion Lake in one mile, and the southeast aspect rises 3,500 feet above South Fork Kings River in less than two miles.
Mount Ruskin is a 12,920-foot-elevation (3,940-meter) mountain summit located in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, immediately east of Cartridge Pass, and 1.4 miles (2.3 km) south of Vennacher Needle, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises over 3,280 feet above South Fork Kings River in 1.5 mile.
Vennacher Needle is a 12,995-foot-elevation (3,961-meter) mountain summit located in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and 1.4 miles (2.3 km) north of Mount Ruskin. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises nearly 2,300 feet above the Upper Basin of South Fork Kings River in one mile. The John Muir Trail, which passes one mile to the east of this mountain, provides one possible approach option. This mountain's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Mount Ickes is a 12,959-foot-elevation (3,950-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 eastern Kings Canyon National Park, 13.5 miles (21.7 km) northwest of the community of Independence, 1.5 mile west of Pinchot Pass, and 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Mount Wynne, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Other nearby peaks include Crater Mountain 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the southeast, Striped Mountain 3 miles (4.8 km) to the northeast, Arrow Peak, three miles (4.8 km) to the west, and Mount Ruskin four miles (6.4 km) to the northwest. Mount Ickes ranks as the 159th highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,080 feet in 2.5 miles. The approach to this remote peak is made via the John Muir Trail which passes to the east of the mountain. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1964 by the United States Board on Geographic Names to honor Harold L. Ickes (1874–1952), who was responsible for implementing much of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal as Secretary of the Interior from 1933 to 1946 and was instrumental in establishing Kings Canyon National Park.
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 central California, United States. It is situated in northern 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.
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.
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.
Goat Mountain is a 12,207-foot-elevation (3,721-meter) mountain summit located in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated on Monarch Divide which is west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Topographic relief is significant as the southeast aspect rises 5,600 feet above Paradise Valley in 2.5 miles. This feature was so named because mountain sheep, erroneously called goats, were once seen on the slopes. The name was already in use when the first ascent of the summit was made in 1896 by Joseph Nisbet LeConte and party. This mountain's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
The Sphinx is a 9,143-foot-elevation (2,787-meter) double summit granitic pillar located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California. This landmark is situated at the northern end of the Great Western Divide, two miles southeast of Kanawyers, five miles northwest of North Guard, and immediately south of the confluence of Bubbs Creek and South Fork Kings River. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 4,000 feet above the canyon in one mile. This geographical feature was named in 1891 by John Muir. This feature's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. The Sphinx formation is the further north and slightly lower of the two peaks, and was the first rock climb done in the Kings Canyon region. The first ascent of the summit was made July 26, 1940, by Art Argiewicz and Bob Jacobs. The North Buttress was first climbed October 18, 1970, by Fred Beckey, Greg Donaldson, and Walt Vennum.
Mount Jordan is a remote 13,343-foot-elevation (4,067-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, 3.1 miles (5.0 km) southwest of Mount Stanford, and one mile west of Mount Genevra, which is the nearest neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,313 feet above Lake Reflection in 1.3 mile. Mount Jordan ranks as the 84th highest summit in California, and the fifth-highest peak on the Kings–Kern Divide.
Whaleback is a remote 11,717-foot-elevation (3,571-meter) three-mile-long ridge located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Tulare County of northern California. It is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, extending north from the Great Western Divide. This geographical feature has significant topographic relief as it rises 2,900 feet above Shortys Cabin in Cloud Canyon in approximately one mile. Whaleback ranks as the 488th highest peak in California. The first ascent of the summit was made August 5, 1936, by May Pridham and Adele van Loben Sels.
South Guard is a remote 13,232-foot-elevation (4,033-meter) mountain summit located near the northern end of the Great Western Divide of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Tulare County of northern California. It is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, 1.63 miles (2.62 km) south of North Guard, and one mile south of Mount Brewer, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 4,600 feet above Cloud Canyon in 3.5 miles, and the east aspect rises 3,200 feet above Lake Reflection in two miles. South Guard ranks as the 103rd highest summit in California, and the third-highest point of the northern Great Western Divide.
Giraud Peak is a 12,608-foot-elevation (3,843-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 Palisades area of northern Kings Canyon National Park, 3.0 miles (4.8 km) southwest of North Palisade, and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of Columbine Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Giraud Peak ranks as the 258th-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 4,400 feet above LeConte Canyon in less than two miles. On the direct opposite side of the canyon The Citadel stands guard. The first ascent of the summit was made September 1, 1925, by Norman Clyde via the east arête.
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.