Observation Peak (California)

Observation Peak is a 12,362-foot-elevation (3,768 meter) summit located in Fresno County, California, United States.[4]

Observation Peak
South aspect, from Dumbbell Lakes
Highest point
Elevation12,362 ft (3,768 m)[1][2]
Prominence802 ft (244 m)[2]
Isolation1.61 mi (2.59 km)[3]
ListingSierra Peaks Section
Coordinates37°01′24″N 118°31′25″W[4]
Geography
Observation Peak is located in California
Observation Peak
Observation Peak
Location in California
Observation Peak is located in the United States
Observation Peak
Observation Peak
Observation Peak (the United States)
LocationKings Canyon National Park
Fresno County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS North Palisade
Geology
Type of rockgranitic
Climbing
First ascent1902 Joseph Nisbet LeConte
Easiest routeclass 2[3] via Dumbbell Lakes

Description

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.

History

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]

Climate

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.

  • Northeast aspect (centered) from Middle Palisade
    Northeast aspect (centered) from Middle Palisade
  • South aspect of Observation Peak (centered)
    South aspect of Observation Peak (centered)
  • South aspect of Observation Peak (left)
    South aspect of Observation Peak (left)
  • South aspect of Observation Peak (right)
    South aspect of Observation Peak (right)
  • South aspect of Observation Peak (right) with Lower Dumbbell Lake
    South aspect of Observation Peak (right) with Lower Dumbbell Lake
  • North aspect of Observation Peak seen from Cataract Creek
    North aspect of Observation Peak seen from Cataract Creek

See also

References
  1. Peter Browning (1986), Place Names of the Sierra Nevada: From Abbot to Zumwalt, Wilderness Press, ISBN 9780899970479, p. 160
  2. "Observation Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  3. "Observation Peak - 12,362' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  4. "Observation Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  5. Hervey Voge and Fred L. Jones, A Climber's Guide to the High Sierra (1954)
  6. Francis Peloubet Farquhar (1926), Place Names of the High Sierra, Sierra Club (Publisher), p. 71
  7. Erwin G. Gudde, William Bright (2010), California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names, University of California Press, ISBN 9780520266193, p. 267
  8. "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica.
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