Milestone Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Milestone Mountain |
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Milestone Mountain, July 1932 (East Side)
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,644 ft (4,159 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 711 ft (217 m) |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
 Milestone Mountain
Location in California
Milestone Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tulare County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Great Western Divide, Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Brewer |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | July 14, 1912 via Southwest Ridge, by William E. Colby, Francis Farquhar and Robert Price. |
| Easiest route | Southwest Ridge, East Side, or Northwest Face (all class 3 scrambles) |
Milestone Mountain is a very tall mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, located in California, U.S.. It's part of a special area called the Great Western Divide. This mountain is known as a "thirteener" because its peak is over 13,000 feet high.
The very top of Milestone Mountain sits right on the border between two famous national parks: Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. It's about 0.6 miles south of Midway Mountain and 3.8 miles northeast of Triple Divide Peak. People have called it Milestone Mountain since at least 1873. Its name comes from the shape of a rock on its peak, which looks like an old-fashioned marker or "milestone."
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Exploring Milestone Mountain
Milestone Mountain is a popular spot for climbers and hikers. It offers amazing views of the surrounding wilderness. Being located in two national parks means it's part of a protected area. This area is home to giant sequoia trees and many different kinds of wildlife.
Where is Milestone Mountain Located?
Milestone Mountain is found in Tulare County, California. It's part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which stretches along much of eastern California. The mountain is specifically within the Great Western Divide, a subrange known for its rugged peaks.
Why is it Called Milestone Mountain?
The mountain gets its name from a unique rock formation at its summit. This rock looks like an "obelisk," which is a tall, narrow, four-sided monument that tapers to a pyramid shape at its top. Early explorers thought it looked like a milestone marker. This is how the mountain got its distinctive name.
Who First Climbed Milestone Mountain?
The first recorded climb to the top of Milestone Mountain happened on July 14, 1912. Three adventurous climbers, William E. Colby, Francis Farquhar, and Robert Price, made this first ascent. They reached the summit by following a path along the Southwest Ridge.
Easiest Ways to Climb Milestone Mountain
There are a few ways to climb Milestone Mountain that are considered the "easiest." These routes are often called "scrambles." Scrambling means you'll use both your hands and feet to climb over rocks, but it's not usually as difficult as technical rock climbing that requires ropes and special gear.
The easiest routes include:
- The Southwest Ridge
- The East Side
- The Northwest Face
All of these routes are rated as class 3 on the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). A YDS 3 rating means you'll need to use your hands for balance and occasional support. It's more challenging than just walking, but less difficult than climbing with ropes.
National Parks Around Milestone Mountain
Milestone Mountain is special because it's located right on the boundary of two amazing national parks: Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. These parks are famous for their incredible natural beauty and giant trees.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is known worldwide for its enormous Giant Sequoia trees. These trees are the largest living things on Earth by volume. The park also has deep canyons, tall mountains, and a lot of wilderness for exploring.
Kings Canyon National Park
Right next door is Kings Canyon National Park. This park features a very deep glacial canyon, similar to Yosemite Valley. It also has huge groves of giant sequoias and vast areas of untouched wilderness. Both parks offer chances to see wildlife like black bears, deer, and many types of birds.
