Tamarack Peak

Last updated
Tamarack Peak
Tamarack Peak, north, spring.jpg
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation 9,897 ft (3,017 m) [1] [2]
Prominence 497 ft (151 m) [3]
Parent peak Relay Peak (10,338 ft) [4]
Isolation 1.38 mi (2.22 km) [4]
Coordinates 39°19′06″N119°55′17″W / 39.3183362°N 119.9215007°W / 39.3183362; -119.9215007 [5]
Naming
Etymology Tamarack pine
Geography
Relief map of U.S., Nevada.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Tamarack Peak
Location in Nevada
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Tamarack Peak
Tamarack Peak (the United States)
Location Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Country United States of America
State Nevada
County Washoe
Parent range Sierra Nevada
Carson Range
Topo map USGS Mount Rose
Climbing
Easiest route class 2 hiking [4]

Tamarack Peak is a 9,897-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Washoe County, Nevada, United States.

Contents

Description

Tamarack Peak is set six miles north of Lake Tahoe on the boundary that Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit shares with Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. [6] It is part of the Carson Range, which is a subset of the Sierra Nevada. It is situated 1.4 miles (2.3 km) east of line parent Relay Peak, 1.8 miles (2.9 km) south of Mount Rose and five miles (8.0 km) north of Incline Village. Topographic relief is modest as the summit rises 1,344 feet (410 meters) above Tahoe Meadows in one mile. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains north into headwaters of Galena Creek, and south to Ophir Creek. The Tahoe Rim Trail traverses the slopes of the peak, providing an approach option.

Etymology

This landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1988 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. [5] The peak is named for the Tamarack tree, a member of the larch family which does not grow in this region, [6] but may have been confused with the Tamarack pine (Pinus contorta murrayana), also called Sierra lodgepole pine, which is a common tree around Lake Tahoe. [7]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Tamarack 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. Most of the snow in Nevada falls from December through March. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralston Peak</span> Mountain in the American state of California

Ralston Peak is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the west of Lake Tahoe within the Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado County, California. Ralston Peak is a very popular mountain to summit for the views of the wilderness area as it lies very near U.S. Route 50. The closest trailhead to the summit can be found in Camp Sacramento a few miles west of Echo Summit. Ralston Peak can also be accessed from the Pacific Crest Trail between Echo Lake and Lake Aloha. Starting at the nearest trailhead, this route is significantly longer than the trail from Camp Sacramento. But the altitude gain on this route is much less, and the trail is much less steep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Tallac</span> Mountain peak southwest of Lake Tahoe, El Dorado county in California, U.S.A.

Mount Tallac is a mountain peak southwest of Lake Tahoe, in El Dorado County, California. The peak lies within the Desolation Wilderness in the Eldorado National Forest. It is quite visible from State Routes 89 and 28, and U.S. Route 50. A "cross of snow" is clearly visible on the mountain's face during the winter, spring, and early summer months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Rose (Nevada)</span> Mountain in the United States

Mount Rose is the highest mountain in Washoe County, within the Carson Range of Nevada, United States. It ranks thirty-seventh among the most topographically prominent peaks in the state. It is also both the highest and most topographically prominent peak of the greater Sierra Nevada range within the state of Nevada, and the third most topographically prominent peak in the Sierra Nevada overall. It is located in the Mount Rose Wilderness of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. An extinct volcano, the mountain is in between Lake Tahoe and Reno. State Route 431 traverses Mount Rose Summit southeast of Mount Rose. Due to the high elevation, most of the precipitation that falls on the mountain is snow. The view from Mount Rose, facing east is the Truckee Meadows area is the second largest population center in Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Goode (California)</span> Mountain in the American state of Colorado

Mount Goode is a 13,085-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 approximately one mile west-northwest of Bishop Pass, one mile east-southeast of Mount Johnson, 1.23 miles (1.98 km) south of Hurd Peak, and 16 miles (26 km) west of the community of Big Pine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cirque Peak (California)</span> Mountain summit in California

Cirque Peak is a 12,900-foot-elevation (3,900-meter) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. It is situated on the common border of Tulare County with Inyo County, as well as the shared boundary of Golden Trout Wilderness and John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is 14 miles (23 km) southwest of the community of Lone Pine, 7.7 miles (12.4 km) south-southeast of Mount Whitney, and 3.2 miles (5.1 km) south of Mount Langley, the nearest higher neighbor. Cirque Peak is the highest point of the Golden Trout Wilderness, and ranks as the 175th highest peak in California. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 1,800 feet above Cirque Lake in approximately one mile. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the southwest slope of this mountain, providing an approach option. The mountain was apparently named in 1890 by Joseph Nisbet LeConte and companions who noted the remarkable cirque on the north aspect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lion Rock (California)</span> Mountain in the American state of California

Lion Rock is a 12,360-foot-elevation (3,770-meter) mountain summit located along the Great Western Divide of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Tulare County of northern California. It is situated in Sequoia National Park, one mile northeast of Mount Stewart, and one mile southwest of Triple Divide Peak. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 3,145 feet above Tamarack Lake in 1.5 mile, and the north aspect rises 1,355 feet above Lion Lake in 0.38 mile. Lion Rock ranks as the 311th highest summit in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Baldwin (California)</span> Mountain in the state of California

Mount Baldwin is a 12,614-foot-elevation (3,845-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is four miles north of Red and White Mountain, and approximately 10.5 miles (16.9 km) southeast of the community of Mammoth Lakes. The nearest higher neighbor is Red Slate Mountain, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the south-southwest. Baldwin ranks as the 257th highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 3,775 feet above McGee Canyon in 1.5 mile. The first ascent of the summit was made July 2, 1928, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Scowden</span> Mountain of Mono County, California

Mount Scowden is an 11,182-foot-elevation (3,408 meter) summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Mono County of northern California, United States. The mountain is set less than three miles east of the Sierra crest, within the Hoover Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. Mount Scowden is situated in Lundy Canyon, one mile north of line parent Tioga Crest, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) west of Gilcrest Peak, and 2.5 miles (4.0 km) southeast of Black Mountain. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,900 feet above Mill Creek in one mile. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains to Mill Creek, and ultimately Mono Lake. The mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names and has been in publications since at least 1882. Leo A. Scowden was a mining engineer and United States deputy mineral surveyor for California who resided in Bodie, Mono County. There were several mining claims on Mt. Scowden in the 1800s which gave rise to the gold rush camp of Lundy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot Knob (Fresno County, California)</span> Mountain in the state of California

Pilot Knob is a 12,245-foot-elevation (3,732 meter) mountain summit located in Fresno County in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California, United States. It is situated at the intersection of Piute Canyon and French Canyon, in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. It is set 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Merriam Peak and three miles north of the Matthes Glaciers. Pilot Knob is the 360th-highest peak in California, and topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 2,800 feet above Hutchinson Meadow in approximately one mile. This mountain was likely named by the USGS during the 1907–09 survey for the Mt. Goddard Quadrangle, and the toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graveyard Peak</span> Mountain in the American state of California

Graveyard Peak is an 11,539-foot-elevation (3,517 meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. Graveyard Peak ranks as the 535th-highest summit in California, and topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises over 2,300 feet above Devils Bathtub in approximately one mile. It is two miles southeast of Silver Peak, five miles north of Lake Thomas A Edison, and approximately 13 miles (21 km) south of the community of Mammoth Lakes. The peak is set on Silver Divide, so precipitation runoff from the north side of this mountain drains into Fish Creek which is a tributary of the San Joaquin River, and from the south slope to Lake Thomas A Edison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicks Peak</span> Mountain in the state of California

Dicks Peak is a 9,974-foot-elevation (3,040 meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is the third-highest peak in the Desolation Wilderness, and is set on land managed by Eldorado National Forest. It is situated six miles (9.7 km) south of Lake Tahoe, and approximately eight miles (13 km) west of the community of South Lake Tahoe. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over 2,300 feet above Rockbound Valley in approximately one mile. One-half mile east of the peak the Pacific Crest Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail traverse Dicks Pass, which provides an approach option for those climbing the peak. Inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jakes Peak</span> Mountain in the state of California

Jakes Peak is a 9,187-foot-elevation (2,800-meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in El Dorado County, California, United States. It is set within the Desolation Wilderness, on land managed by Eldorado National Forest. This iconic peak is situated above the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, and approximately seven miles (11 km) northwest of the community of South Lake Tahoe. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 2,950 feet above the lake in 1.5 miles (2.4 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevens Peak (California)</span> Mountain in the American state of California

Stevens Peak is a 10,059-foot-elevation (3,066 meter) mountain summit located in Alpine County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderson Peak (Placer County, California)</span> Mountain in the state of California

Anderson Peak is an 8,683-foot-elevation (2,647 meter) mountain summit in Placer County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymond Peak</span> Mountain summit

Raymond Peak is a 10,014-foot-elevation (3,052 meter) mountain summit located in Alpine County, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aperture Peak</span> Mountain in the state of California

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Relay Peak</span> Mountain in the American state of Nevada

Relay Peak is a 10,338-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Washoe County, Nevada, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Houghton</span> Mountain in the American state of Nevada

Mount Houghton is a 10,490-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Washoe County, Nevada, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Knob Peak</span> Mountain in the American state of Nevada

Rose Knob Peak is a 9,710-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Washoe County, Nevada, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twin Peaks (Placer County, California)</span> Double summit mountain in the state of California

Twin Peaks is an 8,878-foot-elevation (2,706 meter) double summit mountain in Placer County, California, United States.

References

  1. United States Board on Geographic Names (1988), Decisions on Geographic Names in the United States, List 8803, Department of the Interior, p. 9
  2. United States Geological Survey topographical map - Mount Rose
  3. "Tamarack Peak, Nevada". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  4. 1 2 3 "Tamarack Peak - 9,897' NV". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  5. 1 2 "Tamarack Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  6. 1 2 Michael C. White (2018), 50 of the Best Snowshoe Trails Around Lake Tahoe, University of Nevada Press, ISBN   9781943859801
  7. Toree Warfield, June 24, 2015, What’s the dominant pine tree at Lake Tahoe? You might be surprised, Sierrasun.com
  8. "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica .
  9. John G. Houghton (1975), Nevada's Weather and Climate, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, p. 53