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Chugach Mountains facts for kids

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Chugach Mountains
Range
Chugach Panorama Alaska.jpg
View of the Chugach Mountains from the Glenn Highway north of Anchorage
Country United States
State Alaska
Part of Pacific Coast Ranges
Highest point Mount Marcus Baker
 - elevation 13,176 ft (4,016 m)
 - coordinates 61°26′14″N 147°45′10″W / 61.43722°N 147.75278°W / 61.43722; -147.75278
Length 300 mi (483 km), E-W

The Chugach Mountains in southcentral Alaska are the farthest north of the mountain ranges that make up the Pacific Coast Ranges of western North America. The range is about 500 km (300 mi) long. Its highest point is Mount Marcus Baker, at 13,176 feet (4,016 m), but most of its summits are not very high. Because of the wet weather on the coast, these mountains get a lot of snow.

There are several parks in and around the mountains, like Chugach State Park the Chugach National Forest, and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. They are popular destinations for outdoor activities. The World Extreme Skiing Championship is held yearly in the Chugach near Valdez.

Three highways run through the Chugach Mountains. There is also a tunnel from Portage that lets cars and trains go under the mountains to Whittier.

The name "Chugach" is from the Eskimo tribal name Chugachmiut recorded by the Russians and written by them "Chugatz" and "Tchougatskoi"; in 1898 U.S. Army Captain W. R. Abercrombie spelled the name "Chugatch" and applied it to the mountains.

Mountains

Chugachreflection
A peak in the Chugach Mountains

Some of the taller mountains in this range are:

  • Mount Marcus Baker 13,176 ft (4,016 m)
  • Mount Thor 12,251 ft (3,734 m)
  • Mount Steller 10,617 feet (3,236 m)
  • Mount Michelson 8,701 feet (2,652 m)
  • Mount Palmer 6,940 feet (2,115 m)
  • Flattop Mountain 3,510 feet (1,070 m)
  • Eagle Peak 6,955 feet (2,120 m)
  • Polar Bear Peak 6,614 feet (2,016 m)

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cordillera Chugach para niños

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