Chugach Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chugach Mountains |
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| Range | |
 View of the Chugach Mountains from the Glenn Highway north of Anchorage
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| Country | United States |
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| 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 |
| Length | 300 mi (483 km), E-W |
The Chugach Mountains are a large mountain range in southcentral Alaska. They are the most northern part of the Pacific Coast Ranges in western North America. This mountain range stretches for about 500 kilometers (300 miles) from east to west.
The tallest point in the Chugach Mountains is Mount Marcus Baker, which stands at 13,176 feet (4,016 meters) high. Even though Mount Marcus Baker is very tall, most other peaks in the range are not as high. These mountains get a lot of snow because of the wet weather near the coast.
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Fun Things to Do in the Chugach Mountains
The Chugach Mountains are a great place for outdoor adventures! Several parks and protected areas are found here. These include Chugach State Park, the Chugach National Forest, and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.
People love to visit these areas for many outdoor activities. If you like extreme sports, you might know that the World Extreme Skiing Championship is held every year near Valdez in the Chugach Mountains.
Getting Around the Chugach Mountains
It's easy to travel through parts of the Chugach Mountains. Three main highways cross the range, making it simple to explore. There's also a special tunnel from Portage. This tunnel allows both cars and trains to travel under the mountains to reach Whittier.
Where the Name "Chugach" Comes From
The name "Chugach" comes from the Chugachmiut people. They are an Inuit (Eskimo) tribal group. Russian explorers first wrote down this name as "Chugatz" or "Tchougatskoi." Later, in 1898, a U.S. Army Captain named W. R. Abercrombie spelled it "Chugatch." He then used this name for the mountains we know today.
Some Tall Mountains in the Chugach Range
Here are some of the taller mountains you can find in the Chugach range:
- 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
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Alpine lakes in the Chugach Mountains
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Bold Peak
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Peters Creek backcountry, below Mount Rumble
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Mount Eklutna
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Bashful Peak, the tallest mountain in western Chugach State Park
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Small stream in the Chugach Mountains
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Bold Peak
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See also
In Spanish: Cordillera Chugach para niños
