Johnson Peak

This article is about the mountain in Yosemite National Park. For other uses, see Mount Johnson (disambiguation).
Johnson Peak
Johnson Peak
Highest point
Elevation11,040 ft (3,360 m) NAVD 88[1]
Coordinates37°50′6″N 119°20′56″W / 37.83500°N 119.34889°W / 37.83500; -119.34889 NAVD 88[1]
Geography
Johnson Peak is located in California
Johnson Peak
Johnson Peak
Location in California
LocationYosemite National Park, California, U.S.
Parent rangeCathedral Range
Geology
Rock ageCretaceous
Mountain typeGranite

Johnson Peak is the highest mountain, in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park.[2]

Johnson Peak is made of eroded granite. At 85 Ma, the Johnson Granite Porphyry is the youngest granite rock in the Yosemite National Park, though the entire peak formed beneath the Earth's crust. It broached the surface much later, via subduction.[3]

Despite it being a fairly easy hike, Johnson Peak climbed less frequently than its many neighbors. Yet from summit, there are lovely views of those same stunning mountains, particularly Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb Peak, Echo Peaks and Matthes Crest. To the north and east, you can also see Mount Conness, Mount Dana and Mammoth Peak, and to the southeast you can see Mount Maclure and Mount Lyell.[3]


The name, and the mountain range

R.B. Marshall named Johnson Peak, in the 1890s, to honor a teamster and guide in his survey party, with Professor Davidson. They also climbed Mount Conness.[3]

Johnson Peak is part of the Cathedral Range.[4]

Geology, and the area

Johnson granite porphyry, whose name derives from Johnson Peak, is found there.[5] Far above what is now Johnson Peak, it is possible that a volcanic caldera once may have existed.[6][7]

Johnson Peak is quite near Elizabeth Lake.[8]

Climate

Climate data for Johnson Peak (CA) 37.8346 N, 119.3500 W, Elevation: 10,679 ft (3,255 m) (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 33.8
(1.0) 		33.2
(0.7) 		36.3
(2.4) 		39.7
(4.3) 		46.9
(8.3) 		56.5
(13.6) 		64.3
(17.9) 		63.7
(17.6) 		58.1
(14.5) 		49.3
(9.6) 		39.8
(4.3) 		33.2
(0.7) 		46.2
(7.9)
Daily mean °F (°C) 23.4
(−4.8) 		22.1
(−5.5) 		24.6
(−4.1) 		27.7
(−2.4) 		34.9
(1.6) 		43.7
(6.5) 		51.2
(10.7) 		50.5
(10.3) 		45.2
(7.3) 		37.4
(3.0) 		29.2
(−1.6) 		23.2
(−4.9) 		34.4
(1.3)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 13.0
(−10.6) 		11.0
(−11.7) 		13.0
(−10.6) 		15.6
(−9.1) 		22.8
(−5.1) 		31.0
(−0.6) 		38.2
(3.4) 		37.3
(2.9) 		32.3
(0.2) 		25.5
(−3.6) 		18.6
(−7.4) 		13.1
(−10.5) 		22.6
(−5.2)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 9.36
(238) 		8.30
(211) 		7.41
(188) 		4.13
(105) 		2.49
(63) 		0.62
(16) 		0.58
(15) 		0.40
(10) 		0.52
(13) 		2.68
(68) 		4.13
(105) 		8.40
(213) 		49.02
(1,245)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Johnson Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
  2. ^ Glazner, Allen F, Stock, Greg M. (2010). Geology Underfoot in Yosemite. Mountain Press, p. 53. ISBN 978-0-87842-568-6.
  3. ^ a b c "Johnson Peak (Yosemite)". summitpost.org/. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Johnson Peak, California". peakbagger.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  5. ^ Calkins, Frank C. "The Granitic Rocks of the Yosemite Region". NPS. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  6. ^ Huber, N. King (1987). "The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park". yosemite.ca.us. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  7. ^ Hayes, Garry. "A Virtual Field Trip along the Tuolumne Meadows Highway in Yosemite National Park".
  8. ^ "Elizabeth Lake and Johnson Peak". yosemitehikes.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  9. ^ "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 8, 2023. To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.