Matanuska Peak is a 6,093 ft (1,860 m) mountain summit located in the Chugach Mountains, in Matanuska-Susitna Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. The mountain is a major landmark in the Matanuska Valley, situated 7.5 mi (12 km) east of Palmer, and 10 mi (16 km) north-northeast of Pioneer Peak. The nearest higher peak is Frontier Peak, 2.1 mi (3 km) to the southeast.[1] Matanuska Peak's name was officially approved in 1969 by the United States Geological Survey, and derives from the Matanuska River, a native name on maps since 1897.[2] "Matanuska" is derived from the Russian term for the "copper river people".[3][4] The Matanuska Peak Trail is a five mile one-way hike with 5,670 feet of elevation gain and minor scrambling. The months June through October offer the most favorable weather and snow-free trail conditions to climb this peak. The Matanuska Peak Challenge is a strenuous race run in August each year.
| Matanuska Peak | |
|---|---|
 Matanuska Peak (left) from near Palmer | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,093 ft (1,860 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 993 ft (303 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | Frontier Peak (6,250 ft) |
| Isolation | 2.09 mi (3.36 km)[1] |
| Coordinates | 61°36′13″N 148°53′06″W / 61.60361°N 148.88500°W[1] |
| Geography | |
  Matanuska Peak Location in Alaska | |
 | |
| Interactive map of Matanuska Peak | |
| Location | Matanuska-Susitna Borough Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Chugach Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Anchorage C-6 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | trail, class 2 scrambling |
Climate
editBased on the Köppen climate classification, Matanuska Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[5] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Matanuska River, which in turn is a tributary of the Knik River.
Gallery
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Matanuska Peak and Lazy Mountain
See also
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References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Matanuska Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- ^ "Matanuska Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- ^ "Matanuska River". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
- ^ Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, Donald J. Orth author, United States Government Printing Office (1967), page 628
- ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. ISSN 1027-5606.
External links
edit- Matanuska Peak weather: Mountain Forecast
- Matanuska Peak Trail