Leavitt Peak facts for kids

Leavitt Peak is a tall mountain found in the Emigrant Wilderness area of California. It's located in the eastern part of the famous Sierra Nevada mountain range. This peak sits right on the border between Tuolumne County and Mono County.

If you love hiking, you might know the Pacific Crest Trail. This long trail passes very close to the east side of Leavitt Peak. The peak itself is quite high, reaching about 11,573 feet (3,527 meters) above sea level. From the top, you can see amazing views! Look south to spot parts of Yosemite National Park and north to see towards South Lake Tahoe.

The Story Behind the Name

Leavitt Peak is named after a person named Hiram Leavitt. He was an important settler who came to California from New Hampshire a long time ago. In 1863, Hiram built a hotel and a home. These buildings were at the eastern end of Sonora Pass.

Why Hiram Leavitt Was Important

Hiram Leavitt's hotel and home were very helpful for travelers. Many people were moving between the towns of Sonora and Aurora. A lot of these travelers were miners heading to the gold mines near Bodie. Hiram also set up a place for stagecoaches, which was called Leavitt Station. He even became an early judge in Mono County.

Leavitt's Legacy Today

Today, Leavitt Peak is a popular place for hikers to visit. You can also find other places nearby named after the Leavitt family. These include Leavitt Lake and Leavitt Meadow, which are along the West Walker River. Hiram Leavitt's name was first recorded on a map made by Charles F. Hoffmann in 1873. The peak itself appeared on a Mining Bureau map in 1891.

Images for kids

The view south from the summit of Leavitt Peak, showing the Emigrant Wilderness and Eastern Sierra Nevadas.