Mount Baxter (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Baxter |
|
|---|---|
Mount Baxter is on the right, viewed from the north
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,141 ft (4,005 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 603 ft (184 m) |
| Parent peak | Acrodectes Peak |
| Listing | Sierra Peaks Section |
| Geography | |
 Mount Baxter
Location in California
Mount Baxter
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Fresno and Inyo counties, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Kearsarge Peak |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous |
| Mountain type | Granitic |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1905 by George Davis |
| Easiest route | Scramble, class 2 |
Mount Baxter is a tall mountain peak in California. It is part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This mountain sits right on the border between Kings Canyon National Park and the John Muir Wilderness. It is also located just north of a mountain pass called Baxter Pass. To its northeast are the Rae Lakes, which are a very popular place for people who love to hike and backpack along the famous John Muir Trail.
About Mount Baxter
Mount Baxter reaches a height of 13,141 feet (about 4,000 meters). It is one of the many impressive peaks in the Sierra Nevada range. The mountain's rocks are mostly made of granite. This type of rock formed a very long time ago, during the Cretaceous period. That was when dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
Where is Mount Baxter?
This mountain is located in two different counties in California. It sits on the border of Fresno County and Inyo County. Its location is also special because it is part of both Kings Canyon National Park and the John Muir Wilderness. These are protected areas known for their amazing natural beauty.
Who was John Baxter?
Mount Baxter was named after a man named John Baxter. He was a rancher who lived in the nearby Owens Valley. Ranchers are people who raise cattle or other livestock on large farms. Naming mountains after important local figures is a common tradition.
Protecting Wildlife
Mount Baxter is an important home for a special animal. It provides habitat for the endangered Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. These sheep are a unique type of wild sheep that live in the mountains. Because these sheep are endangered, it means there are not many of them left.
To help protect these bighorn sheep, parts of the mountain have sometimes been closed to visitors. This helps the sheep live safely and allows their population to grow. Protecting endangered animals and their homes is very important for nature.
