Mount Johnson (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Johnson |
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Mount Johnson (highest point) from northwest
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,680 ft (2,340 m) |
| Prominence | 480 ft (150 m) |
| Isolation | 1.34 mi (2.16 km) |
| Parent peak | Mount Deception |
| Geography | |
 Mount Johnson
Location in Washington (state)
Mount Johnson
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jefferson County, Washington, US |
| Parent range | Olympic Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Deception |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Eocene |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1935 or 1940 |
| Easiest route | class 4 Scramble |
Mount Johnson is a tall mountain peak in the Olympic Mountains. You can find it in Jefferson County, which is part of Washington state. This mountain is inside Olympic National Park.
Standing at about 7,680 feet (2,341 meters) high, Mount Johnson is the fourth tallest peak in the Olympic Mountains. Only Mount Olympus, Mount Deception, and Mount Constance are taller. It is also the highest point in a smaller group of peaks called The Needles. Mount Deception is its closest taller neighbor, about 1.34 miles (2.16 km) to the south.
Mountain History
Mount Johnson got its name because people thought Elvin Johnson and George Martin were the first to climb it in 1940. However, new information shows that Scott Osborn, Joe Halwax, and John King actually climbed it around 1935.
Weather and Climate
Mount Johnson is in the eastern part of the Olympic Mountains. It sits in the area where water flows into the Dungeness River. This spot is in the "rain shadow" of the Olympic Range. This means it gets less rain and snow than Mount Olympus and the western Olympic Mountains.
Mount Johnson is in a "marine west coast" climate zone. This type of climate is found in western North America. Most weather systems start over the Pacific Ocean. They then travel northeast towards the Olympic Mountains. As these weather systems reach the mountains, the peaks force them upward. This makes the clouds drop their moisture as rain or snow. This is called "orographic lift." Because of this, the Olympic Mountains get a lot of rain and snow, especially in winter.
In winter, the weather is often cloudy. But in summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean bring clear skies. The snow here tends to be wet and heavy because of the ocean's influence. This can make the risk of avalanches higher.
Fun Activities
Climbing Mount Johnson is not super technical, but it is a steep and exposed climb. It's known as a "class 4 scramble," which means you'll need to use your hands and feet to climb some parts. It's one of several mountains that climbers like to explore in the Royal Basin area.
- You can see more photos of Mount Johnson here: Flickr
Images for kids
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Mt. Johnson summit (upper left), Sweat Spire and Gasp Pinnacle are centered.
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Mount Johnson centered in the distance, as seen from Marmot Pass.
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Mount Johnson and The Needles seen from Elk Mountain
