Eagle Scout Peak is a 12,005-foot (3,659 m)[1] mountain on the Great Western Divide of the southern Sierra Nevada. The mountain is located in the backcountry of Sequoia National Park.[1] The mountain sits immediately to the south of Kaweah Gap along the main crest of the Great Western Divide. The east face of Eagle Scout Peak is relatively gentle and offers the easiest routes to the summit. The north face drops 1,600 feet (490 m) to Precipice Lake in a series of sheer cliffs. This scene was the backdrop for the Ansel Adams photo "Frozen Lake and Cliffs".[4]

Eagle Scout Peak
Precipice Lake (8065614670).jpg
The steep cliffs of Eagle Scout Peak's north face rising above Precipice Lake
Highest point
Elevation12,005 ft (3,659 m)[1]
NAVD88
Prominence365 ft (111 m)[1]
Parent peakPeak 12180[2]
Isolation0.67 mi (1.08 km)
to Peak 12180[2]
ListingSierra Peaks Section
Coordinates36°32′45″N 118°33′43″W / 36.54583°N 118.56194°W / 36.54583; -118.56194[1]
Geography
Eagle Scout Peak is located in California
Eagle Scout Peak
Eagle Scout Peak
Parent rangeGreat Western Divide
Climbing
First ascentJuly 15, 1926 by Francis Farquhar and Eagle Scouts Frederick Armstrong, Eugene Howell, and Coe Swift[3]
Easiest routeYDS Class 2[3]

On July 15, 1926 Francis Farquhar and three Eagle Scouts (Frederick Armstrong, Eugene Howell, and Coe Swift) made the first recorded ascent of Eagle Scout Peak,[3] hence its name.[5]

Background

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The main route to the summit is a YDS Class 2 scramble up the east face from the Big Arroyo. Two technical climbing routes exist on the steep north face: "Dancing Deer Direct" and "North Face". Both these routes have YDS Class 5.7 difficulty.[3]

Eagle Scout Peak does not have particularly high topographic prominence due to a high-elevation ridge connecting it to several higher peaks to the south. However, the sheer vertical drop on the north face makes the mountain visually prominent. Its position along the ridge of the Great Western Divide endows the mountain with panoramic views in all directions. Eagle Scout Peak is featured on the peak list maintained by the Sierra Peaks Section.[6]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Eagle Scout Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Eagle Scout Peak". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Secor, R. J. (2009). The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, Trails (illustrated ed.). The Mountaineers Books. p. 104. ISBN 978-1594854811.
  4. ^ "Ansel Adams: Classic Images - Frozen Lake and Cliffs, The Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park, California". Housatonic Museum of Art. Housatonic Community College. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  5. ^ Gudde, Erwin G. (1960). California Place Names: The Origin and Etymology of Current Geographical Names (revised ed.). University of California Press. p. 97.
  6. ^ Bowman, Tina (April 2020). SPS Peaks List (PDF) (26th ed.). Sierra Peaks Section—Angeles Chapter—Sierra Club. Retrieved June 11, 2020.