Mount O'Neel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount O'Neel
Mount O'Neel, south aspect, seen with Mt. Williams (left), Childs Glacier, and Copper River
Highest point
Elevation	6,411 ft (1,954 m)
Prominence	1,161 ft (354 m)
Isolation	2.6 mi (4.2 km)
Parent peak	Mount Williams
Geography
Mount O'Neel Location in Alaska
Location	Chugach National Forest Valdez-Cordova Borough Alaska, United States
Parent range	Chugach Mountains
Topo map	USGS Cordova C-3

Mount O'Neel is a tall, icy mountain in Alaska. It stands at 6,411 feet (1,954 meters) high. This mountain is part of the Chugach Mountains. It's located in the Chugach National Forest. You can find it about 34 miles (55 km) northeast of Cordova.

Even though it's not the tallest, its south side rises very steeply. It goes up over 5,400 feet (1,646 m) in less than a mile! This dramatic view is right next to the huge Childs Glacier. You can even see Mount O'Neel from the Copper River Highway.

How Did Mount O'Neel Get Its Name?

This mountain was named around 1910. It was named after A. C. O'Neel. He was a chief engineer for the Copper River and Northwestern Railway.

Mr. O'Neel helped build a very important bridge. This bridge was made of steel and cost $1,500,000. It crossed the Copper River near the mountain's base. The mountain's name became official in 1930. This was decided by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

What's the Weather Like at Mount O'Neel?

Mount O'Neel is in a subpolar oceanic climate zone. This means it has long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually cool.

Strong winds from the North Pacific Ocean hit the Chugach Mountains. This forces the air upwards, causing a lot of rain and snow. This process is called orographic lift. Temperatures can drop below -20 °C. With the wind chill, it can feel colder than -30 °C. This cold climate helps keep the Childs Glacier to the south and Grinnell Glacier to the north. The best time to visit or climb Mount O'Neel is usually from May through June.