Silver Peak (Fresno County, California)

Silver Peak is an 11,878-foot-elevation (3,620 meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Fresno County, California, United States.[1] It is set in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Sierra National Forest. Silver Peak ranks as the 455th-highest summit in California,[4] and topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises nearly 2,300 feet (700 meters) above Beetlebug Lake in approximately one mile. It is six miles (9.7 km) north of Lake Thomas A Edison, and approximately 12 miles (19 km) south of the community of Mammoth Lakes. The peak is situated on Silver Divide, two miles northwest of Graveyard Peak. The first ascent of the summit was made prior to 1937 by an unknown party.[5] Inclusion on the Sierra Peaks Section peakbagging list generates climbing interest.

Silver Peak
Southwest aspect
Highest point
Elevation11,878 ft (3,620 m)[1][2]
Prominence1,198 ft (365 m)[3]
Parent peakEvon Benchmark (12,221 ft)[4]
Isolation6.14 mi (9.88 km)[4]
ListingSierra Peaks Section
Coordinates37°28′11″N 119°01′16″W[1]
Geography
Silver Peak is located in California
Silver Peak
Silver Peak
Location in California
Silver Peak is located in the United States
Silver Peak
Silver Peak
Silver Peak (the United States)
LocationFresno County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada[3]
Topo mapUSGS Sharktooth Peak
Geology
Age of rockCretaceous
Mountain typeFault block
Type of rockGranodiorite
Climbing
First ascent<1937
Easiest routeclass 2[4]

Climate
North aspect of Silver Peak centered in the distance, seen from Mammoth Mountain. Sharktooth Peak to immediate right.

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Silver Peak is located in an alpine climate zone.[6] 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. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the San Joaquin River.

Etymology

Headwaters of Silver Creek originate from several lakes along the west slope of Silver Peak. Theodore Solomons so named the creek because of its silvery appearance, and the peak he named in association with the creek.[7] This landform's toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[1] There are 10 mountains in California with this same official name, and this one has the highest elevation.

Aerial view of Silver Peak (center)

See also

References
  1. "Silver Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  2. R. J. Secor, The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails, 2009, Third Edition, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9781594857386, p. 363
  3. "Silver Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  4. "Silver Peak - 11,878' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  5. George Bloom and John D. Mendenhall, A Climber’s Guide to the High Sierra (1954)
  6. "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  7. Francis P. Farquhar, Place Names of the High Sierra (1926)
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