Matterhorn Peak

For other uses, see Matterhorn (disambiguation).
Matterhorn Peak
Looking west from Horse Creek
Highest point
Elevation12,285 ft (3,744 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence1,559 ft (475 m)[1]
Parent peakTwin Peaks[2]
Listing
Coordinates38°05′35″N 119°22′54″W / 38.0929700°N 119.3817903°W / 38.0929700; -119.3817903[6]
Geography
Matterhorn Peak is located in California
Matterhorn Peak
Matterhorn Peak
Location in California
LocationMono / Tuolumne counties, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Matterhorn Peak
Climbing
First ascent1899 by M. R. Dempster and party[7]
Easiest routeScramble, class 2[7]

Matterhorn Peak is located in the Sierra Nevada, in California, at the northern boundary of Yosemite National Park. At 12,285 feet (3,744 m) elevation, it is the tallest peak in the craggy Alps-like Sawtooth Ridge and the northernmost 12,000-foot (3,700 m) peak in the Sierra Nevada. The peak also supports the Sierra's northernmost glacier system. It was named after the Matterhorn in the Alps. Matterhorn Peak is near Twin Peaks, and just north of Whorl Mountain.

The peak can be ascended without climbing gear.

Jack Kerouac, in The Dharma Bums (1958), describes a hike up and a run down the mountain. This led to the classic observation, "You can't fall off a mountain."[8]

Climate

Climate data for Matterhorn Peak (CA) 38.0964 N, 119.3825 W, Elevation: 11,585 ft (3,531 m) (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 31.3
(−0.4) 		29.5
(−1.4) 		32.2
(0.1) 		35.9
(2.2) 		43.5
(6.4) 		53.1
(11.7) 		61.0
(16.1) 		60.3
(15.7) 		55.0
(12.8) 		45.8
(7.7) 		36.7
(2.6) 		30.7
(−0.7) 		42.9
(6.1)
Daily mean °F (°C) 21.3
(−5.9) 		19.5
(−6.9) 		21.8
(−5.7) 		24.7
(−4.1) 		31.8
(−0.1) 		41.1
(5.1) 		48.8
(9.3) 		48.1
(8.9) 		42.3
(5.7) 		34.3
(1.3) 		26.8
(−2.9) 		21.3
(−5.9) 		31.8
(−0.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 11.4
(−11.4) 		9.5
(−12.5) 		11.3
(−11.5) 		13.5
(−10.3) 		20.1
(−6.6) 		29.0
(−1.7) 		36.6
(2.6) 		35.8
(2.1) 		29.6
(−1.3) 		22.7
(−5.2) 		16.8
(−8.4) 		12.0
(−11.1) 		20.7
(−6.3)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 9.29
(236) 		8.06
(205) 		7.27
(185) 		3.97
(101) 		2.40
(61) 		0.69
(18) 		0.79
(20) 		0.69
(18) 		0.58
(15) 		2.54
(65) 		4.19
(106) 		8.11
(206) 		48.58
(1,236)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[9]

See also

Matterhorn Peak

References

  1. ^ a b "Matterhorn Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  2. ^ "Matterhorn Peak". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
  3. ^ "Sierra Peaks Section List" (PDF). Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  4. ^ "Vagmarken Sierra Crest List". Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  5. ^ "Western States Climbers Qualifying Peak List". Climber.org. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  6. ^ "Matterhorn Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  7. ^ a b Roper, Steve (1976). The Climber's Guide to the High Sierra. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books. pp. 48, 327. ISBN 978-0871561473.
  8. ^ Kerouac, Jack (2006). The Dharma bums. New York: Penguin Books. p. 64. ISBN 0-14-303960-1.
  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.


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