Caltech Peak
Northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation13,832 ft (4,216 m)[1][2]
Prominence512 ft (156 m)[3]
Parent peakMount Stanford (13,979 ft)[4]
Isolation1.08 mi (1.74 km)[4]
ListingSierra Peaks Section
Coordinates36°41′18″N 118°23′26″W / 36.6884149°N 118.3904881°W / 36.6884149; -118.3904881[5]
Naming
EtymologyCalifornia Institute of Technology
Geography
Caltech Peak is located in California
Caltech Peak
Caltech Peak
Location in California
Caltech Peak is located in the United States
Caltech Peak
Caltech Peak
Caltech Peak (the United States)
LocationSequoia National Park
Tulare County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Mount Brewer
Geology
Age of rockCretaceous
Mountain typeFault block
Type of rockgranitic
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 2[4] Southeast slope[6]

Caltech Peak is a 13,832-foot-elevation (4,216 meter) mountain summit located in Sequoia National Park in Tulare County, California.[5] It is situated one mile west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, just one-half mile south of the Kings–Kern Divide, one mile south of line parent Mount Stanford, and 9.3 miles northwest of Mount Whitney. Caltech Peak ranks as the 24th-highest summit in California.[7] Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises nearly 1,900 feet (580 meters) above Lake South America in 0.7 miles (1.1 km). The John Muir Trail traverses below the east aspect of the mountain, providing an approach option for climbers.

History

The first ascent of the summit was made June 22, 1926, by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.[2]

This mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1961 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to commemorate California Institute of Technology (Caltech).[5][8]

Climate

Caltech Peak is located in an alpine climate zone.[9] 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 this mountain drains into headwaters of the Kern River.

See also

Caltech Peak to far right seen from Bighorn Plateau. (Mt. Ericsson right of center). Camera pointed NNW.

References

  1. ↑ United States Board on Geographic Names (1962), Decisions on Names in the United States, Decisions Rendered from September through December 1961, Decision List No. 6103, p. 7
  2. 1 2 R. J. Secor, The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, Trails, 2009, Third Edition, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9781594857386, p. 145
  3. ↑ "Caltech Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  4. 1 2 3 "Caltech Peak - 13,832' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  5. 1 2 3 "Caltech Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  6. ↑ Steve Roper (1976), The climber's guide to the High Sierra, Sierra Club Books, ISBN 9780871561473, p. 265
  7. ↑ George Wuerthner (1993), California's Sierra Nevada, American & World Geographic Pub., ISBN 9781560370369, p. 100
  8. ↑ Erwin G. Gudde, California Place Names, University of California Press, 1969, ISBN 9780520266193, page 61.
  9. ↑ "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica.
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