Mount Morgan (Inyo County, California)

Last updated
Mount Morgan
Mt Morgan.jpg
Morgan seen from Little Lakes Valley
Highest point
Elevation 13,754 ft (4,192 m)  NAVD 88 [1]
Prominence 2,628 ft (801 m) [2]
Parent peak North Palisade [3]
Listing
Coordinates 37°24′19″N118°43′59″W / 37.405257017°N 118.732925392°W / 37.405257017; -118.732925392 [1]
Geography
Relief map of California.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Morgan
Location in California
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount Morgan
Mount Morgan (the United States)
Location Inyo County, California, U.S.
Parent range Sierra Nevada
Topo map USGS Mount Morgan
Climbing
First ascent About 1870 by the Wheeler Survey party [6]
Easiest route Scramble, class 2 [4]

Mount Morgan is a mountain located in northwestern Inyo County, California, in the John Muir Wilderness of the Inyo National Forest.

Contents

Geography

Morgan stands within the endorheic watershed of Owens Lake, now a mostly dry lake since its main source of water, the Owens River, was diverted to supply Los Angeles. The west and north sides of Mt. Morgan drain into Rock Creek, thence into the Owens River. The east and south sides of Morgan drain into Morgan Creek, thence into Pine Creek, and into lower Rock Creek.

Climate

Climate data for Mount Morgan (Inyo County) 37.4082 N, 118.7320 W, Elevation: 13,196 ft (4,022 m) (1991–2020 normals)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)25.1
(−3.8)
23.5
(−4.7)
26.4
(−3.1)
31.4
(−0.3)
39.3
(4.1)
49.8
(9.9)
57.2
(14.0)
56.4
(13.6)
51.0
(10.6)
42.2
(5.7)
31.8
(−0.1)
24.7
(−4.1)
38.2
(3.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)16.4
(−8.7)
14.3
(−9.8)
16.9
(−8.4)
21.0
(−6.1)
26.8
(−2.9)
36.2
(2.3)
43.0
(6.1)
42.3
(5.7)
39.2
(4.0)
31.7
(−0.2)
22.8
(−5.1)
16.4
(−8.7)
27.2
(−2.6)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)7.7
(−13.5)
5.2
(−14.9)
7.4
(−13.7)
10.5
(−11.9)
14.3
(−9.8)
22.6
(−5.2)
28.9
(−1.7)
28.2
(−2.1)
27.3
(−2.6)
21.2
(−6.0)
13.8
(−10.1)
8.0
(−13.3)
16.3
(−8.7)
Average precipitation inches (mm)8.01
(203)
7.82
(199)
6.10
(155)
3.77
(96)
2.15
(55)
0.57
(14)
0.77
(20)
0.63
(16)
0.54
(14)
1.70
(43)
2.34
(59)
7.28
(185)
41.68
(1,059)
Source: PRISM Climate Group [7]

Climbing

Morgan can be accessed by trail from Rock Creek Canyon, above Tom's Place on 395. Its trailhead is at the far end of the lake. The trail is well marked the first 4 miles (6.4 km) to Francis Lake, where it ends. From there it is a scramble up rocky slopes for 2 miles (3.2 km) to the summit. [8]

History

In 1878 members of the Wheeler Survey, who made the first ascent in about 1870, [6] named the mountain for one of its members, J.H. Morgan of Alabama. [9]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Morgan". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce . Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  2. "Mount Morgan, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  3. "Morgan Pass". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  4. 1 2 "Sierra Peaks Section List" (PDF). Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club . Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  5. "Western States Climbers Qualifying Peak List". Climber.org. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  6. 1 2 Roper, Steve (1976). The Climber's Guide to the High Sierra. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books. p. 341. ISBN   978-0871561473.
  7. "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 6, 2023. To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.
  8. "Lake Francis Trail". SummitPost.org. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  9. Gudde, Erwin G. (1949). California Place Names. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press. p. 224.