Mount Disappointment (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Disappointment |
|
|---|---|
Mount Disappointment from the west, May 2009.
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,963+ ft (1,818+ m) NAVD 88 |
| Listing | Hundred Peaks Section |
| Geography | |
| Location | Los Angeles County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | San Gabriel Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Wilson |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1875 by F. Kampf, W.A. Coles, and Frank Holland |
| Easiest route | Hike, class 1 |
Mount Disappointment is a mountain located in the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, California. It stands tall at over 5,963 feet (about 1,818 meters) above sea level. This mountain is part of a beautiful range in Southern California.
Contents
Why the Name "Disappointment"?
The mountain got its unusual name in 1894. Surveyors from the USGS were mapping the area. They were part of a group called the Wheeler Survey.
They saw the mountain from far away, from the Santa Susana Mountains. They thought it looked like the highest point nearby. They planned to use it as a key spot for their measurements. This process is called "triangulation."
However, when they reached the top, they found something unexpected. Another peak, San Gabriel Peak, was just half a mile (0.8 km) away. It was also 167 feet (about 51 meters) taller! This was a big "disappointment" for the surveyors. So, they moved their equipment to the higher San Gabriel Peak instead. That's how Mount Disappointment got its name.
Mount Disappointment's Past and Present
A Missile Site
In 1955, Mount Disappointment became home to a special defense site. It was a Nike missile site. Nike missiles were used to protect cities from air attacks during the Cold War. To build this site, the very top of the mountain was flattened.
The missile site was used for about ten years. It was then closed down in 1965.
Modern Uses of the Summit
Today, the top of Mount Disappointment is very important for communication. It is a major telecommunications site. This means it has many antennas and equipment. These are used by both businesses and government groups. They help send signals for phones, internet, and other important services.
