Clark Range (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clark Range |
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Clark Range from the north, November 2005
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Merced Peak |
| Elevation | 11,726 ft (3,574 m) |
| Geography | |
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| Country | United States |
| Range coordinates | 37°40.5′N 119°24′W / 37.6750°N 119.400°W |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Geology | |
| Type of rock | Metamorphic and Igneous |
The Clark Range is a group of mountains located in California's famous Sierra Nevada mountain range. You can find it inside Yosemite National Park, which is a very popular place for nature lovers.
Geography: Where is the Clark Range?
The Clark Range stretches from north to south. It starts at a peak called Quartzite Peak and ends at Triple Divide Peak. This mountain range acts like a natural wall, separating the water that flows into Illilouette Creek from the water that feeds the upper parts of the Merced River.
The entire range is named after Mount Clark. This mountain got its name from Galen Clark, who was an important person in the early history of Yosemite National Park.
The very highest point in the Clark Range is Merced Peak. It stands tall at 11,726 feet (about 3,574 meters) above sea level!
Geology: What are the Mountains Made Of?
Most of the Clark Range is made of a type of rock called metamorphic rock. This kind of rock forms when other rocks are changed by extreme heat and pressure deep inside the Earth.
However, there's one big exception: the top of Mount Clark is made of granite. Granite is an igneous rock, which means it formed from cooled-down magma (molten rock) deep underground.
Images for kids
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A wide view of almost the entire Clark Range, seen from Vogelsang Peak.
