Jump to content

Sentinel Peak (Alaska)

Coordinates: 58°59′34″N 136°33′45″W / 58.99278°N 136.56250°W / 58.99278; -136.56250
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sentinel Peak
Sentinel Peak, south aspect
Highest point
Elevation4,355 ft (1,327 m)[1]
Prominence1,710 ft (520 m)[1]
Parent peakRendu Peak (5341ft)[2]
Coordinates58°59′34″N 136°33′45″W / 58.99278°N 136.56250°W / 58.99278; -136.56250[1]
Geography
Sentinel Peak is located in Alaska
Sentinel Peak
Sentinel Peak
Location of Sentinel Peak in Alaska
LocationGlacier Bay National Park
Hoonah-Angoon
Alaska, United States
Parent rangeAlsek Ranges
Saint Elias Mountains[1]
Topo mapUSGS Mount Fairweather D-2
Climbing
Easiest routeSouth ridge[2]

Sentinel Peak is a 4,355-foot (1,327-meter) mountain summit located at the head of Glacier Bay's Queen Inlet in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in the Alsek Ranges of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska.[3] The mountain is situated immediately southwest of Carroll Glacier, 87 mi (140 km) northwest of Juneau, and 7.44 mi (12 km) east of Mount Abdallah. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the mountain rises up from tidewater in less than two miles. The mountain was named in 1892 by Harry Fielding Reid, an American geophysicist, who studied glaciology in Glacier Bay.[3] He so named it because Carroll Glacier is guarded by Sentinel Peak, and a sentinel is a guard whose job is to stand and keep watch.[3] Weather permitting, Sentinel Peak can be seen from Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing the peak.

Sentinel Peak at the head of Queen Inlet

Climate

[edit]

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Sentinel Peak has a subarctic climate with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[4] Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Glacier Bay Basin.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Sentinel Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  2. ^ a b "Sentinel Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  3. ^ a b c "Sentinel Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  4. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.
[edit]