Gunsight Mountain

Gunsight Mountain is a prominent 6,441-foot (1,963 m) elevation summit located 56 mi (90 km) northeast of Palmer in the Talkeetna Mountains of the U.S. state of Alaska. This landmark is set midway between Palmer and Glennallen, with the Glenn Highway traversing the southern base of this mountain. This remote mountain is situated at the east end of Sheep Mountain, and 12.2 mi (20 km) northeast of Mount Wickersham, its nearest higher peak.[1] The mountain's descriptive local name was reported in 1952 by U.S. Geological Survey, and derives from a conspicuous deep notch in the summit ridge which has the appearance of a gunsight.[3][4] This mountain is called Siz'aani, meaning "Heart", in the Ahtna language.[3][5]

Gunsight Mountain
Northeast aspect from Glenn Highway
Highest point
Elevation6,441 ft (1,963 m) [1]
Prominence3,441 ft (1,049 m) [1]
Isolation7.39 mi (11.89 km) [2]
Coordinates61°50′39″N 147°28′02″W [1]
Geography
Gunsight Mountain
Location of Gunsight Mountain in Alaska
LocationMatanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska, United States
Parent rangeTalkeetna Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Anchorage D-2
Climbing
Easiest routeunmaintained trail, scramble

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Gunsight Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[6] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Matanuska River.

See also

References
  1. "Gunsight Mountain, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  2. Gunsight Mountain AK, listsofjohn.com
  3. "Gunsight Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-03-20.
  4. Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, Donald J. Orth author, United States Government Printing Office (1967), page 398
  5. James Kari and James A. Fall, Shem Pete's Alaska, 2nd Ed. 2003, page 309.
  6. 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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.