Observation Peak | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 12,362 ft (3,768 m) [1] [2] |
Prominence | 802 ft (244 m) [2] |
Isolation | 1.61 mi (2.59 km) [3] |
Listing | Sierra Peaks Section |
Coordinates | 37°01′24″N118°31′25″W / 37.0232152°N 118.5236653°W [4] |
Geography | |
Location | Kings Canyon National Park Fresno County, California, U.S. |
Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
Topo map | USGS North Palisade |
Geology | |
Rock type | granitic |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1902 Joseph Nisbet LeConte |
Easiest route | class 2 [3] via Dumbbell Lakes |
Observation Peak is a 12,362-foot-elevation (3,768 meter) summit located in Fresno County, California, United States. [4]
The mountain is set five miles west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the Palisades area of Kings Canyon National Park. It is situated 4.4 miles (7.1 km) southwest of Middle Palisade, and one mile south-southeast of Mount Shakspere. Observation Peak ranks as the 323rd-highest summit in California, [3] and topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,400 feet (730 meters) above Cataract Creek in approximately one mile. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Middle Fork Kings River.
The first ascent of the summit was made July 25, 1902, by Joseph Nisbet LeConte and Curtis W. Lindley via Dumbbell Lakes. [5] LeConte so named the peak because he used the summit as a triangulation base for mapping the area. [6] [7] This mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. [4]
Observation Peak is located in an alpine climate zone. [8] 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 (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.
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.
Split Mountain is a fourteener in the Sierra Nevada of the U.S. state of California, near the southeast end of the Palisades group of peaks. It is the only fourteener in the watershed of the South Fork Kings River, and it rises to 14,064 feet (4,287 m), making it the eighth-highest peak in the state.
Palisade Crest is a jagged ridge in The Palisades's region of the Sierra Nevada southeast of Mount Sill and northwest of Middle Palisade. Its twelve pinnacles are unofficially named for characters from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. The highest pinnacle, at 13,559 feet (4,133 m), is called Gandalf Peak.
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.
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 Henry is a 12,196-foot-elevation (3,717-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated on the Le Conte Divide, along the shared boundary of John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park, and 3.7 miles (6.0 km) northwest of Emerald Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,800 feet above South Fork San Joaquin River in two miles. The John Muir Trail passes to the northeast, providing an approach option.
Mount Bago is an 11,870-foot-elevation (3,620-meter) mountain summit located 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, 14 miles (23 km) west of the community of Independence, 2.3 miles west of the Kearsarge Pinnacles, and 2.4 miles southwest of Mount Rixford. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 3,675 feet above Junction Meadow in one mile. The John Muir Trail passes to the northeast of this remote geographical feature. The first ascent of the summit was made July 11, 1896, by Joseph Nisbet LeConte and Wilson S. Gould.
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 McDuffie is a 13,291-foot-elevation (4,051-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of central California, United States. This peak is situated in northern Kings Canyon National Park, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) northwest of The Citadel, and two miles south of Black Giant, which is the nearest higher neighbor. McDuffie ranks as the 93rd highest summit in California, and the second-highest point on Black Divide. Topographic relief is significant as it rises nearly 4,900 feet above Le Conte Canyon in approximately 2.5 miles. An approach to this remote peak is made possible via the John Muir Trail.
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.
Mount Gilbert is a 13,106-foot (3,995 m) mountain located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada range in California, United States. It is situated on the shared boundary of Kings Canyon National Park and John Muir Wilderness, and along the common border of Fresno County and Inyo County. It is 18 miles (29 km) west of the community of Big Pine, 0.8 mile northwest of Mount Johnson, and one mile southeast of Mount Thompson, which is its nearest higher neighbor. Mount Gilbert ranks as the 127th-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 3,900 feet (1,189 m) above LeConte Canyon in less than two miles, and the northern aspect rises 3,340 feet above South Lake in 2.5 miles.
Mount Johnson is a 12,871-foot-elevation mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, United States. It is situated on the boundary between Kings Canyon National Park and John Muir Wilderness, and along the county line between Fresno County and Inyo County. It is also 18 miles (29 km) west of the community of Big Pine, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) southeast of Mount Gilbert, and one mile (1.6 km) west-northwest of Mount Goode. Mount Johnson ranks as the 187th-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises 3,670 feet above LeConte Canyon in 1.5 mile, and the north aspect rises 3,100 feet above South Lake in 2.5 miles.
Mount Shakspere is a 12,174-foot-elevation summit located in Fresno County, California, United States.
Disappointment Peak is a 13,917-foot-elevation summit located on the shared boundary of Fresno County and Inyo County in California, United States.
Pyramid Peak is a 12,779-foot-elevation (3,895 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County, California, United States. It is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, 2.2 miles (3.5 km) southwest of line parent Mount Ickes and 2.2 miles (3.5 km) southeast of Arrow Peak, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Other nearby peaks include Crater Mountain 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the northeast, and Window Peak one mile to the south. Pyramid Peak ranks as the 214th-highest summit in California, and topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises over 2,300 feet in approximately one mile.
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.
Mount Reinstein is a 12,586-foot-elevation (3,836 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County, California, United States. This peak is situated on the common boundary shared by Kings Canyon National Park with John Muir Wilderness, and it is the highest point on LeConte Divide. Reinstein ranks as the 260th-highest summit in California. It is set 2.7 miles (4.3 km) west of Scylla and 2.0 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Mount Goddard. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 1,600 feet above Martha Lake in less than one mile. An ascent of the peak is non-technical, and inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest in this remote peak.
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.