Gunsight Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gunsight Mountain |
|
|---|---|
Northeast aspect from Glenn Highway
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,441 ft (1,963 m) |
| Prominence | 3,441 ft (1,049 m) |
| Isolation | 7.39 mi (11.89 km) |
| Geography | |
 Gunsight Mountain
Location in Alaska
|
|
| Location | Matanuska-Susitna Borough Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Talkeetna Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Anchorage D-2 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | unmaintained trail, scramble |
Gunsight Mountain is a cool mountain peak in Alaska, United States. It stands tall at about 6,441-foot (1,963 m) (that's over 1,900 meters!). You can find it in the Talkeetna Mountains, northeast of a town called Palmer.
This mountain is a famous landmark. It sits right between Palmer and Glennallen. The Glenn Highway runs along the southern side of the mountain. Gunsight Mountain got its name because of a special deep notch near its top. This notch looks a lot like the sight on a gun! The local Ahtna language name for this mountain is Siz'aani, which means "Heart".
What's the Weather Like?
Gunsight Mountain has a subarctic climate. This means the winters are very long, cold, and snowy. Summers, however, are usually mild.
Temperatures can drop really low, sometimes below −20 °C (that's -4 °F). With the wind, it can feel even colder, below −30 °C (-22 °F)! If you want to visit or climb, the best time is usually from May through June. That's when the weather is most pleasant. All the rain and melting snow from the mountain flows into streams that eventually join the Matanuska River.
