Mount Gayley

Last updated
Mount Gayley
Mount Gayley.jpg
Southwest aspect
Highest point
Elevation 13,516 ft (4,120 m) [1]
Prominence 430 ft (130 m) [1]
Parent peak Mount Sill [2]
Coordinates 37°06′11″N118°29′59″W / 37.1030007°N 118.4998074°W / 37.1030007; -118.4998074 Coordinates: 37°06′11″N118°29′59″W / 37.1030007°N 118.4998074°W / 37.1030007; -118.4998074 [3]
Naming
Etymology Charles Mills Gayley
Geography
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Mount Gayley
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Mount Gayley
Location Inyo County, California, U.S.
Parent range Sierra Nevada [1]
Topo map USGS Split Mountain
Climbing
First ascent 1927 by Norman Clyde [4]
Easiest route Exposed scramble, class 3 [2]

Mount Gayley is a 13,510-foot-elevation (4,118 meter) mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County, California, United States. [3] It is situated in the Palisades area of the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is approximately 13 miles (21 km) west-southwest of the community of Big Pine, 0.67 miles (1.08 km) southwest of Temple Crag, and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) north-northeast of parent Mount Sill. Mount Gayley ranks as the 59th highest summit in California. [2]

Contents

History

The name commemorates Charles Mills Gayley (1858–1932), beloved English professor and Academic Dean of the University of California, Berkeley. [5] This mountain's name was officially adopted prior to 1939 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names based on a recommendation by the Sierra Club. [6] Mount Sill and nearby Mount Jepson were also named for University of California professors. The first ascent of the summit was made June 10, 1927, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada. [7]

Climbing

Established climbing routes on Mount Gayley: [8]

Access from Big Pine: Glacier Lodge Road, North Fork Big Pine Creek Trail, then Glacier Trail.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Mount Gayley is located in an alpine climate zone. [9] 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 the Palisade Glacier below the west slope. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into Big Pine Creek.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Sill</span> Mountain of the Sierra Nevada in California, United States

Mount Sill is one of the fourteeners of the Sierra Nevada in California. It is located in the Palisades, a group of prominent rock peaks with a few small glaciers on their flanks. Mount Sill is located 0.6 miles (1 km) east of North Palisade, the high point of the group. The two peaks are connected by a high, rocky ridge, on the north side of which lies the Palisade Glacier. Mount Sill lies on the main Sierra Crest, but is at a point where the crest turns sharply, giving it particularly striking summit views. On one side is Kings Canyon National Park and Fresno County; on the other is the John Muir Wilderness, Inyo National Forest and Inyo County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palisades (California Sierra)</span> Group of mountains within the Sierra Nevada of California, United States

The Palisades are a group of peaks in the central part of the Sierra Nevada in the U.S. state of California. They are located about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of the town of Big Pine, California. The peaks in the group are particularly steep, rugged peaks and "contain the finest alpine climbing in California." The group makes up about 6 miles (10 km) of the Sierra Crest, which divides the Central Valley watershed from the Owens Valley, and which runs generally northwest to southeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temple Crag</span>

Temple Crag is a mountain peak in the Palisades group of peaks of the Sierra Nevada with an elevation of 12,982 feet (3,957 m). The peak lies east of the Sierra Crest, between Mount Gayley and Mount Alice, straddling the drainages of the North and South Forks of Big Pine Creek. The peak's north face forms the backdrop for part of the North Fork Big Pine Creek hiking trail in the John Muir Wilderness and Inyo National Forest. It is also a rock climbing destination, with its arêtes hosting the routes Venusian Blind, Moon Goddess Arete, Sun Ribbon Arete, and Dark Star.

The Sierra Peaks Section (SPS) is a mountaineering society within the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club that serves to provide mountaineering activities for Sierra Club members in the Sierra Nevada, and to honor mountaineers who have summited Sierra Nevada peaks.

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

Mount Thompson is a 13,494-foot-elevation mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, United States. It is situated on the shared boundary of Kings Canyon National Park with John Muir Wilderness, and along the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County. It is also 18 miles (29 km) west of the community of Big Pine, one mile northwest of Mount Gilbert, and three miles east of Mount Fiske, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Mount Thompson ranks as the 62nd-highest summit in California. This mountain's name commemorates Almon Harris Thompson (1839–1906). The first ascent of the peak was made by Clarence H. Rhudy and H. F. Katzenbach in the summer of 1909.

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

Mount Fiske is a 13,503-foot-elevation mountain summit located near the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in northern Kings Canyon National Park, 23 miles (37 km) west of the community of Big Pine, 0.83 miles (1.34 km) east of Mount Huxley, and two miles south of Mount Darwin, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Mount Fiske ranks as the 60th highest summit in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloudripper</span> Mountain peak of the Sierra Nevada in California, United States

Cloudripper is a 13,525-foot-elevation mountain summit located two miles east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the Palisades area of the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is approximately 14 miles (23 km) west of the community of Big Pine, 1.1 miles (1.8 km) north-northeast of Picture Puzzle, and 2.1 miles (3.4 km) south of parent Mount Agassiz. Cloudripper ranks as the 58th highest summit in California, and the highest point of the Inconsolable Range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picture Puzzle</span> Mountain peak of the Sierra Nevada in California, United States

Picture Puzzle, also known as Picture Puzzle Peak, is a 13,297-foot-elevation mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the Palisades area of the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is approximately 14.5 miles (23.3 km) west of the community of Big Pine, one mile north of Bishop Pass, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) northwest of Aperture Peak, 1.2 miles (1.9 km) north-northwest of Mount Agassiz, and 1.1 miles (1.8 km) south-southwest of parent Cloudripper. Picture Puzzle ranks as the 90th-highest summit in California, and the third-highest peak of the Inconsolable Range.

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

Picture Peak is a 13,140+ foot mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County in northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is approximately 21 miles (34 km) west of the community of Big Pine, and 0.65 miles (1.05 km) east of parent Mount Haeckel. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises over 2,000 feet above Hungry Packer Lake in approximately one-half mile (1 km). The first ascent of the summit was made July 1967, by Gary Colliver and Steve Thompson via the northeast face. This mountain's name has not been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Corcoran</span> Mountain summit of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California

Mount Corcoran is a 13,701-foot (4,176 m) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. It is situated on the boundary between Tulare County and Inyo County, as well as the boundary between Sequoia National Park and John Muir Wilderness. It is 12 miles (19 km) west-southwest of the community of Lone Pine, 3.6 miles (5.8 km) southeast of Mount Whitney, 1.2 miles (1.9 km) northwest of Mount Langley, and 0.23 miles (0.37 km) immediately south of Mount Le Conte, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as it rises approximately 1,800 feet above Iridescent Lake in one-half mile.

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

Thor Peak is a 12,306-foot-elevation (3,751-meter) mountain summit located east of 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 12.5 miles (20.1 km) west of the community of Lone Pine, and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Mount Whitney. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 3,937 feet above Whitney Portal in 1.5 mile. Hikers on the Mount Whitney Trail pass below the impressive south face of the peak.

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

Mount Powell is a 13,364-foot-elevation mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, United States. It is situated on the shared boundary of Kings Canyon National Park with John Muir Wilderness, and along the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County. It is also 19 miles (31 km) west of the community of Big Pine, and 1.17 miles (1.88 km) west of Mount Thompson, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Mount Powell ranks as the 81st highest peak in California, and the 10th highest of the Evolution Region of the Sierra Nevada. The west summit is unofficially known as "Point John." Two other peaks on the mountain are informally called "Point Wesley" (13,356 ft) in the middle, and "Point Powell" (13,360+ ft) one-half mile to the east.

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

Mount Lamarck is a 13,417-foot-elevation (4,090-meter) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California, United States. It is situated on the shared boundary of Kings Canyon National Park with John Muir Wilderness, and along the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County. It is 20 miles (32 km) southwest of the community of Bishop, and 1.9 miles (3.1 km) north of Mount Darwin. Subsidiary peak Mount Lamarck North (13,464 feet ranks as the 67th highest summit in California, and the sixth highest in the Evolution Region. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 4,290 feet above Lake Sabrina in three miles, and the west aspect rises 3,600 feet above Evolution Valley in three miles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Thumb (California)</span>

The Thumb is a 13,356-foot-elevation (4,071-meter) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Inyo County of northern California. It is situated in the Palisades area of the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is 1.3 miles (2.1 km) east of Middle Palisade, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) west-northwest of Birch Mountain, and 1.8 miles (2.9 km) north of Mount Bolton Brown. The Thumb ranks as the 83rd-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises over 2,500 feet above Birch Lake in approximately one mile. The John Muir Trail traverses below the southwest aspect of the mountain, providing an optional approach access.

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

Disappointment Peak is a 13,917-foot-elevation summit located on the shared boundary of Fresno County and Inyo County in California, United States.

<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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Bolton Brown</span> Mountain

Mount Bolton Brown is a 13,491-foot-elevation (4,112 meter) mountain summit located on the shared border of Fresno County and Inyo County in California, United States.

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

Mount Jepson is a 13,390-foot-elevation (4,081 meter) summit located on the shared boundary of Fresno County and Inyo County in California, United States.

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

Aperture Peak is a 13,265-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Inyo County, California, United States.

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

Mount Robinson is a 12,967-foot-elevation (3,952 meter) mountain summit located in Inyo County, California, United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mount Gayley, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gayley, Mount". ListsOfJohn.com.
  3. 1 2 "Mount Gayley". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  4. Secor, R.J. (1992). The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, and Trails (1st ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers. p. 187. ISBN   978-0898863130.
  5. Erwin Gustav Gudde, William Bright, California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names, 1998, University of California Press, ISBN   9780520213166, page 142.
  6. Ann Lage, Chronicle of the University of California, 2000, page 96.
  7. Norman Clyde - Mountaineer, Owensvalleyhistory.com
  8. Alan M. Hedden and David R. Brower, A Climber's Guide to the High Sierra (1954)
  9. 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.