Mount Marathon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Marathon |
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View of Mount Marathon from Downtown Seward
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,826 ft (1,471 m) |
| Prominence | 889 ft (271 m) |
| Parent peak | Phoenix Peak |
| Geography | |
 Mount Marathon
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Kenai Peninsula, Alaska |
| Parent range | Kenai Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Seward A-7 |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Mount Marathon, officially called Marathon Mountain, is a mountain in Alaska. It stands 4,826-foot (1,471 m) (about 1,471 meters) tall. This impressive peak is located directly west of the town of Seward. It is part of the Kenai Mountains range.
The mountain is found within the Chugach National Forest. It rises high above Resurrection Bay, which is a beautiful body of water. Mount Marathon is about 2.35 mi (4 km) south of Mount Benson and 2 mi (3 km) north of Bear Mountain. The mountain is famous for the exciting Mount Marathon Race that happens every Fourth of July.
Mountain Climate
Mount Marathon is located in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has very long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually mild, not too hot or too cold. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C (which is −4 °F). With the wind chill, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (−22 °F).
This type of climate helps certain trees grow well on the lower parts of the mountain. You will find forests of spruce and hemlock trees here. If you want to visit and see the mountain clearly, the best months are usually May and June. The weather during these months is often the most pleasant for outdoor activities.
