geo.wikisort.org - Mountains

The Sphinx is a 9,143-foot-elevation (2,787 meter) double summit pillar located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California.[3] This landmark is situated at the northern end of the Great Western Divide, two miles southeast of Kanawyers, five miles northwest of North Guard, and immediately south of the confluence of Bubbs Creek and South Fork Kings River. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) above the canyon in one mile. This geographical feature was named in 1891 by John Muir.[4] This feature's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[3] The Sphinx is the further north and slightly lower of the two peaks, and was the first rock climb done in the Kings Canyon region.[5] The first ascent of the summit was made July 26, 1940, by Art Argiewicz and Bob Jacobs.[6] The North Buttress was first climbed October 18, 1970, by Fred Beckey, Greg Donaldson, and Walt Vennum.[7]

The Sphinx
Highest point
Elevation	9,143 ft (2,787 m)[1]
Prominence	23 ft (7.0 m)[1]
Parent peak	Sphinx Crest (11,580 ft)[2]
Isolation	1.91 mi (3.07 km)[2]
Coordinates	36°46′16″N 118°33′03″W[3]
Naming
Etymology	Sphinx
Geography
The Sphinx Location in California Show map of California The Sphinx The Sphinx (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Kings Canyon National Park Fresno County, California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada Great Western Divide[1]
Topo map	USGS The Sphinx
Geology
Type of rock	granitic
Climbing
First ascent	1940
Easiest route	class 5.6[2]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, The Sphinx is located in an alpine climate zone.[8] 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 the peak drains into the South Fork Kings River.

See also

• List of mountain peaks of California
• Grand Sentinel

References

External links

• Weather forecast: National Weather Service

---