Granite Peak (Matanuska-Susitna, Alaska)

Granite Peak
Southwest aspect, from Palmer area
(Lava Mountain to right)
Highest point
Elevation6,729 ft (2,051 m)[1]
Prominence1,529 ft (466 m)[1]
Isolation5.69 mi (9.16 km)[2]
Coordinates61°47′48″N 148°53′09″W / 61.79667°N 148.88583°W / 61.79667; -148.88583[1]
Geography
Granite Peak is located in Alaska
Granite Peak
Granite Peak
Location of Granite Peak in Alaska
LocationMatanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska, United States
Parent rangeTalkeetna Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Anchorage D-6
Climbing
Easiest routeScrambling

Granite Peak is a 6,729-foot (2,051 m) elevation summit located 16 mi (26 km) northeast of Palmer in the southern Talkeetna Mountains of the U.S. state of Alaska. This landmark of the Matanuska Valley is set midway between Palmer and Chickaloon, with the Glenn Highway traversing the southern base of this mountain. This mountain is situated 6 mi (10 km) north of Sutton, and 13 mi (21 km) north of Matanuska Peak. The mountain's descriptive local name was reported in 1946 by U.S. Geological Survey, and officially adopted that same year by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[3][4] This mountain is called Hdighilen Dghilaaye' in the Ahtna language.[3][5]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Granite Peak 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 Eska and Granite Creeks, both of which are tributaries of the Matanuska River.

See also

References

Eska Mountain (left) and Granite Peak (right)
  1. ^ a b c "Granite Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  2. ^ Granite Peak AK, listsofjohn.com
  3. ^ a b "Granite Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  4. ^ Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, Donald J. Orth author, United States Government Printing Office (1967), page 385
  5. ^ James Kari and James A. Fall, Shem Pete's Alaska, 2nd Ed. 2003.
  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.