Mount Conness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Conness |
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Mount Conness seen from Saddlebag Lake Road.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 12,590 ft (3,840 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 2,630 ft (802 m) |
| Parent peak | Mount Dana |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Mono / Tuolumne counties, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Tioga Pass |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1864 by Clarence King and James T. Gardiner |
| Easiest route | Scramble, class 2 |
Mount Conness is a tall mountain in the Sierra Nevada range, standing at 12,590 feet (3,837 meters) high. It is located west of the Hall Natural Area. This impressive peak sits right on the boundary between the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park. A large glacier, called the Conness Glacier, can be found just north of its summit.
History of Mount Conness
Mount Conness is named after John Conness (1821–1909). He was born in Ireland and moved to the United States in 1836. John Conness served in the California government as a lawmaker. Later, he became a United States Senator for California from 1863 to 1869.
In 1860, Josiah Whitney became the State Geologist of California. He started the California Geological Survey, a group that explored and mapped California's land. This survey team included famous explorers like William Henry Brewer, Clarence King, and James Terry Gardiner. They explored many areas, including the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite National Park.
Josiah Whitney wrote that Senator Conness deserved credit for helping to create the Geological Survey. He also helped with another big science project, the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel.
Clarence King was a geologist on the survey team. He was also one of the first people to climb Mount Conness in 1864, along with James T. Gardiner. King wrote that the mountain's strong and solid look made it fitting to name it after John Conness. The survey members were very thankful to Senator Conness for his support.
Climbing Mount Conness
Mount Conness is a great place for learning about alpine climbing. Alpine climbing involves different skills like hiking on trails, scrambling (which is like easy rock climbing using your hands), and walking on glaciers. All of this happens at a high altitude.
Climbers often set up camp near Tioga Pass and start their climb early in the morning. It usually takes a full day to reach the top and come back down.
Near the very top, climbers have to scramble along a narrow, sharp ridge. This part is rated as class 2, which means it's a relatively easy climb that might require using your hands for balance. From the summit, you can see amazing views. To the east, you'll see the Conness Glacier, and to the west, you can look out over Tuolumne Meadows.
Images for kids
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Mount Conness seen from Saddlebag Lake Road.
