Cloud Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cloud Peak |
|
|---|---|
Cloud Peak, from Paint Rock Creek drainage.
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,171 ft (4,015 m) |
| Prominence | 7,067 ft (2,154 m) |
| Listing |
|
| Geography | |
 Cloud Peak
Location in Wyoming
|
|
| Location | Big Horn / Johnson counties, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Parent range | Bighorn Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Cloud Peak |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1897 |
| Easiest route | Hike/scramble |
Cloud Peak is the highest mountain in the Bighorn Mountains. This mountain range is located in Wyoming, a state in the United States. Cloud Peak stands tall at 13,171 feet (about 4,014 meters) above sea level. It offers amazing views of the surrounding wilderness.
Contents
About Cloud Peak
Cloud Peak is a very important mountain in Wyoming. It is the highest point in the entire Bighorn Mountains range. The mountain is found in two counties: Johnson County and Big Horn County. It is the highest spot for both of these areas.
Location and Size
Cloud Peak is 13,171 feet (4,014 meters) tall. This makes it a very impressive sight. The mountain is part of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. This is a large protected area of 189,000 acres (765 square kilometers). It is located within the Bighorn National Forest.
Climbing the Peak
You can climb Cloud Peak from its western side. The easiest way to start is from the Battle Park or West Tensleep trailheads. A round-trip hike to the top and back is about 24 miles (39 kilometers). It is a challenging but rewarding hike.
Natural Features
The northeast side of Cloud Peak has a deep, bowl-shaped valley. This is called a cirque. Inside this cirque, you will find the Cloud Peak Glacier. This is the last active glacier remaining in the Bighorn Mountains. Glaciers are large, slow-moving rivers of ice.
Prominence of the Peak
Cloud Peak has a very high topographic prominence. This means it rises much higher than the land around it. Its prominence is 7,077 feet (2,157 meters). This is one foot more than Wyoming's highest mountain, Gannett Peak. Cloud Peak has the greatest prominence in Wyoming. It is also the fifteenth greatest in the contiguous United States.
