Birch Mountain (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Birch Mountain |
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Birch Mountain's east side from route 395, May 2009.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,608 ft (4,148 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 938 ft (286 m) |
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| Geography | |
 Birch Mountain
Location in California
Birch Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Location | Inyo County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Split Mountain |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1887 by J.W. Bledsoe |
| Easiest route | Scramble by southwest ridge or south slope, class 2 |
Birch Mountain, also known as Paokrung, is a tall and impressive peak in California. Its name, Paokrung, comes from the Northern Paiute language and means "Mountain of Stone." This mountain is special because it's one of the fifty highest peaks in all of California!
Birch Mountain is part of a famous group of mountains called the Palisades. It stands a bit further away from the main line of peaks, known as the Sierra Crest.
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Exploring Birch Mountain
Even though Birch Mountain is very high, it's not climbed as often as some of its super-tall neighbors. These neighbors are called "fourteeners" because they are over 14,000 feet high. People who climb mountains often keep a record of their trips in a "summit register" at the top. Birch Mountain's register doesn't have as many entries as other peaks nearby.
Why Climbers Love It
Despite being less famous, Birch Mountain is still very popular with certain types of climbers. It's on a special list called the Sierra Peaks Section list. This makes it a cool goal for "peak baggers." Peak baggers are people who love to climb many different mountains and check them off a list.
Birch Mountain is also a great spot for ski mountaineering. This means people can ski up the mountain and then ski back down. It's not too difficult to climb, which makes it a fun and rewarding adventure for those who enjoy both skiing and climbing. The easiest way to get to the top is by scrambling up its southwest ridge or south slope.
First Ascent of Birch Mountain
The very first person known to climb Birch Mountain was J.W. Bledsoe. He reached the summit way back in 1887. Imagine climbing such a big mountain over a hundred years ago!
Where is Birch Mountain?
Birch Mountain is located in Inyo County, California, in the United States. It's part of the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range. This area is also home to the John Muir Wilderness, a protected natural space.
