Amulet Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amulet Peak |
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North face featured, from Glenn Highway
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,290 ft (2,530 m) |
| Prominence | 1,870 ft (570 m) |
| Isolation | 3.33 mi (5.36 km) |
| Parent peak | Awesome Peak |
| Geography | |
 Amulet Peak
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Matanuska-Susitna Borough Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Chugach Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Anchorage C-3 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1968 |
| Easiest route | South ridge |
Amulet Peak is a very tall mountain in Alaska, a state in the United States. It stands about 8,290 feet (2,527 meters) high. This makes it a noticeable landmark in the Matanuska Valley.
The mountain is located about 39 miles (63 km) east-northeast of Palmer. It sits in the northern part of the Chugach Mountains. You can find it about halfway between the cities of Anchorage and Glennallen. It is right at mile 94 of the Glenn Highway.
Amulet Peak is also about 12 miles (19 km) west of the Matanuska Glacier. Its closest taller neighbor, Awesome Peak, is about 3.7 miles (6 km) northeast.
Climbing Amulet Peak
People enjoy climbing Amulet Peak. There are several ways to reach the top. Some common climbing paths are along the east and south ridges. The north face of the mountain is the most challenging and risky route.
The first ascent of Amulet Peak happened in 1968. A team of climbers, John Vincent Hoeman, his wife Grace Hoeman, and William Babcock, successfully reached the summit. They used the south ridge route for their climb.
Weather and Environment
Amulet Peak is in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually mild.
Weather systems from the Gulf of Alaska bring a lot of moisture. When these systems hit the Chugach Mountains, the air is forced to rise. This process, called orographic lift, causes heavy rain and snow to fall on the mountain.
Temperatures on Amulet Peak can drop very low. They can go below −4 °F (−20 °C). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −22 °F (−30 °C).
Because of the cold climate, you can find small glaciers and permanent snowfields on the mountain's slopes. The best time to visit Amulet Peak for climbing or viewing is usually from May through June. During these months, the weather is often more favorable.
Water from the mountain's snowmelt and rain flows into Monument and Gravel Creeks. These creeks then feed into the Matanuska River.
