Emerald Peak is a 12,546-foot-elevation (3,824 meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States.[3] It is situated in Kings Canyon National Park, southwest of Evolution Valley, and 2.3 miles (3.7 km) northwest of Mount McGee, the nearest higher neighbor. Other nearby peaks include The Hermit, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the east, and Peter Peak, 1.6 miles (2.6 km) to the southeast. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises over 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) above Goddard Canyon in 1.5 mile. The John Muir Trail passes to the northeast, providing an approach.

Emerald Peak
Emerald Peak centered, from the east
Highest point
Elevation	12,546 ft (3,824 m)[1]
Prominence	666 ft (203 m)[2]
Parent peak	Mount McGee (12,944 ft)[2]
Isolation	2.30 mi (3.70 km)[2]
Listing	Sierra Peaks Section
Coordinates	37°09′55″N 118°45′50″W[3]
Geography
Emerald Peak Location in California Show map of California Emerald Peak Emerald Peak (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Kings Canyon National Park Fresno County California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Topo map	USGS Mount Henry
Geology
Type of rock	metamorphic
Climbing
First ascent	1925
Easiest route	class 2[2]

History

The peak's descriptive name was originally applied in 1895 as "Emerald Point" by Sierra Club explorer Theodore Solomons due to its color, caused by greenish slate.[4] [5] This geographical feature's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[3] The first ascent of the summit was made August 8, 1925, by Sierra Club members Norman Clyde, Julie Mortimer, and Eleanor Bartlett.[6]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Emerald Peak is located in an alpine climate zone.[7] 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, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range (orographic lift). Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the San Joaquin River.

See also

• List of mountain peaks of California

References

External links

• Weather forecast: Emerald Peak