Matterhorn Peak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matterhorn Peak
Looking west from Horse Creek
Highest point
Elevation	12,285 ft (3,744 m) NAVD 88
Prominence	1,559 ft (475 m)
Parent peak	Twin Peaks
Listing	SPS Emblem peak
Geography
Location	Mono / Tuolumne counties, California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Topo map	USGS Matterhorn Peak
Climbing
First ascent	1899 by M. R. Dempster and party
Easiest route	Scramble, class 2

Matterhorn Peak is a famous mountain located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. You can find it in the western California, United States. This impressive peak sits right on the northern edge of Yosemite National Park.

At 12,285 feet (3,744 meters) tall, Matterhorn Peak is the highest point in an area called the Sawtooth Ridge. This ridge looks a lot like the rugged Alps mountains in Europe. It is also the most northern peak in the Sierra Nevada that is over 12,000 feet high.

Matterhorn Peak: A California Giant

Matterhorn Peak is special for a few reasons. It is home to the most northern glacier system in the Sierra Nevada. Glaciers are like very slow-moving rivers of ice. The mountain was named after the famous Matterhorn mountain in the Alps. This shows how much its shape reminded people of that European peak.

The peak is quite close to other mountains like Twin Peaks and Whorl Mountain.

Climbing the Peak

One cool thing about Matterhorn Peak is that you can climb it without needing special climbing ropes or gear. This means it's a popular spot for hikers and adventurers. The easiest way to get to the top is by scrambling. Scrambling means climbing over rocks and rough ground using both your hands and feet.

Matterhorn in Books

Matterhorn Peak has even appeared in popular culture. A famous writer named Jack Kerouac wrote about it in his 1958 book, The Dharma Bums. He described a hike up the mountain and then a fun run back down. This experience led him to make a famous observation: "You can't fall off a mountain."