Mount Thompson | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 13,494 ft (4,113 m) [1] |
Prominence | 1,054 ft (321 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Mount Fiske (13,503 ft) [2] |
Isolation | 3.02 mi (4.86 km) [2] |
Listing | Sierra Peaks Section |
Coordinates | 37°08′34″N118°36′49″W / 37.1428824°N 118.6136118°W [3] |
Naming | |
Etymology | Almon Harris Thompson |
Geography | |
Location | Kings Canyon National Park Fresno County / Inyo County California, U.S. |
Parent range | Sierra Nevada [1] |
Topo map | USGS Mount Thompson |
Geology | |
Rock type | granite |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1909 |
Easiest route | class 2 [2] |
Mount Thompson is a 13,494-foot-elevation (4,113 meter) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, United States. [3] 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. [2] This mountain's name commemorates Almon Harris Thompson (1839–1906). [4] The first ascent of the peak was made by Clarence H. Rhudy and H. F. Katzenbach in the summer of 1909. [5]
Established climbing routes on Mount Thompson: [6]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, Mount Thompson 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). Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains south into the Middle Fork Kings River, and north into Bishop Creek.
Feather Peak is a 13,240-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 3.2 miles (5.1 km) east-northeast of Seven Gables, and 0.66 miles (1.06 km) northwest of Royce Peak, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Feather Peak ranks as the 99th-highest summit in California. The first ascent of the summit was made in July 1933 by David Brower, who also named this peak.
Mount Dade is a 13,606 feet (4,147 m) mountain 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 between Sierra National Forest and Inyo National Forest, and along the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County. It is one mile west of Dade Lake, and approximately 22 miles (35 km) west of the community of Bishop. Nearby neighbors include Mount Abbot, 0.4 mile to the northwest, and Bear Creek Spire 1.2 mile to the southeast. The USGS probably named this peak during a 1907–09 survey, and the first ascent was made August 19, 1911, by Liston and McKeen, of Fresno.
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.
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.
The Citadel is an 11,738-foot-elevation (3,578-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. It is situated in northern Kings Canyon National Park, 20 miles (32 km) west-southwest of the community of Big Pine, and 2.4 miles (3.9 km) south of Langille Peak. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 3,400 feet above Le Conte Canyon in approximately one mile. The long approach to this remote peak is made via the John Muir Trail. The Northeast Arête, also known as Edge of Time Arête, is considered one of the classic climbing routes in the Sierra Nevada.
Mount Gayley is a 13,510-foot-elevation mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Inyo County, 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 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.
Mount Haeckel is a 13,424-foot (4,092 m) 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 21.5 miles (34.6 km) west of the community of Big Pine, 1.27 miles (2.04 km) south-southeast of Mount Darwin, and one mile north-northeast of Mount Fiske, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Mount Haeckel ranks as the 71st highest summit in California.
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.
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.
Red and White Mountain is a remote 12,816-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 shared boundary of Sierra National Forest with Inyo National Forest, and along the common border of Fresno County with Mono County. It is eight miles northeast of Lake Thomas A Edison, and approximately 13 miles (21 km) southeast of the community of Mammoth Lakes. The nearest higher neighbor is Red Slate Mountain, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north-northwest.
North Guard is a remote 13,327-foot-elevation (4,062-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, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) southeast of Mount Farquhar, and 0.6 miles (0.97 km) north-northwest of Mount Brewer, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,858 feet above East Lake in three miles. North Guard ranks as the 87th highest summit in California, and the second highest point of the northern Great Western Divide. It's not as high as Mount Brewer, but offers better climbing and is considered one of the classic climbing routes in the Sierra Nevada.
Mount Rixford is a 12,887-foot-elevation (3,928-meter) mountain summit located one 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 Kings Canyon National Park, 11.5 miles (18.5 km) west of the community of Independence, and one mile north of the Kearsarge Pinnacles and Kearsarge Lakes. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 2,346 feet above Rae Lakes in one mile. The John Muir Trail crosses Glen Pass one mile to the west of this mountain. Mt. Rixford ranks as the 183rd highest summit in California. Painted Lady is a subsidiary summit at the end of Rixford's north ridge.
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.
Mount Perkins is a 12,566-foot-elevation 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 boundary between John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. It is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) northwest of the community of Independence, 1.65 miles (2.66 km) north of Mount Cedric Wright, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) east of Crater Mountain, and 1.4 miles (2.3 km) southeast of Mount Wynne. Climbing routes to the summit include the west slope, and the north and south ridges. The John Muir Trail traverses below the west base of the peak on its descent south from Pinchot Pass, providing an approach to the mountain.
Colosseum Mountain is a 12,473-foot-elevation double summit mountain 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 12 miles (19 km) northwest of the community of Independence, 1.2 miles (1.9 km) east of Mount Cedric Wright, 2.6 miles (4.2 km) west of Sawmill Point, and 1.6 miles (2.6 km) south-southeast of Mount Perkins, the nearest higher neighbor. The lower east summit is 12,451-feet in elevation and marked as Colosseum Mountain on maps, but the 12,473-foot west summit is higher. Approximately 1,000 feet distance separate the two summits. The John Muir Trail passes to the west of this peak, providing an approach to the mountain. The first ascent of the summit was made August 5, 1922, by Chester Versteeg, a prominent Sierra Club member, via the southwest face.
The Hermit is a 12,328-foot-elevation (3,758-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, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east of Emerald Peak, and 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of Mount Darwin. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 2,500 feet above Evolution Valley in less than one mile. The John Muir Trail passes to the east and north of this landmark, providing an approach. This geographical feature was named by Sierra Club explorer Theodore Solomons in 1895 as he wrote: "The traveler will be greatly attracted by a very sharp peak or butte that rises on the south wall. From its isolated position as viewed from the valley we called it the Hermit."
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 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.
Mount Prater is a 13,471-foot-elevation (4,106 meter) mountain summit located on the shared border of Fresno County and Inyo County in California, United States.