Mount Hornaday facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Hornaday |
|
|---|---|
As viewed from Pebble Creek
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,003 ft (3,049 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Hornaday
Location in Wyoming
|
|
| Parent range | Absaroka Range |
| Topo map | Mount Hornaday |
Mount Hornaday stands tall at 10,003 feet (about 3,049 meters) above sea level. This impressive mountain peak is found in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park in the Absaroka Range, Wyoming. It got its name in 1938 from a famous naturalist named William Temple Hornaday. He used to be in charge of the New York Zoo and worked very hard to save the American Bison from disappearing forever.
Contents
Discovering Mount Hornaday
Mount Hornaday is a significant peak within the vast and beautiful Yellowstone National Park. It is known for its rugged beauty and the important role it plays in the park's landscape. The mountain offers stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.
Where is Mount Hornaday?
This mountain is located in Park County, Wyoming, right inside the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. It's part of the Absaroka Range, which is a large mountain range stretching across parts of Wyoming and Montana. The Absaroka Mountains are famous for their volcanic origins and sharp, rocky peaks.
Yellowstone National Park itself is a huge area of protected land. It is known for its amazing geysers, hot springs, and diverse wildlife. Mount Hornaday adds to the park's natural beauty, standing as a silent guardian over its wild spaces.
Who Was William Temple Hornaday?
The mountain was named in honor of William Temple Hornaday (1854–1937). He was a very important person in the early days of wildlife conservation in the United States. A naturalist is someone who studies nature, especially animals and plants.
Hornaday was a strong advocate for protecting animals. He saw that many animal species, like the American bison, were in danger of extinction. This means they were close to disappearing from the Earth forever. He worked tirelessly to create laws and reserves to save these animals. His efforts helped bring the American bison back from the brink. Naming a mountain after him in Yellowstone, a park famous for its bison, is a fitting tribute to his work.
Exploring the Absaroka Range
Mount Hornaday is part of the Absaroka Range, a mountain chain that spans about 150 miles (240 kilometers). These mountains were formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity. This means they were created by ancient volcanoes erupting and shaping the land.
The Absaroka Range is known for its rugged terrain, deep canyons, and high peaks. It's a challenging but rewarding place for hikers and explorers. The range is also home to many different types of plants and animals, making it an important natural habitat.
Wildlife Around the Mountain
The area around Mount Hornaday, being in Yellowstone National Park, is rich in wildlife. You might find animals like Grizzly bears, American black bears, Moose, Elk, and of course, Bison. These animals roam freely in their natural habitat.
The diverse landscape, with its forests, meadows, and rocky slopes, provides a perfect home for these creatures. Protecting areas like Mount Hornaday helps ensure that these animals have a safe place to live and thrive for future generations.
