Mount Ritter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Ritter |
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Mount Ritter (on the left) from the John Muir Trail
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,149 ft (4,008 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,957 ft (1,206 m) |
| Parent peak | Red Slate Mountain |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Ansel Adams Wilderness, Madera County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Ritter Range, Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Ritter |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous |
| Mountain type | Metavolcanic rock |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1872 by John Muir |
| Easiest route | Snow/rock scramble |
Mount Ritter is the tallest mountain in Madera County, California. It stands high in the Western United States, reaching an elevation of 13,149 feet (4,008 m).
This amazing peak is also the highest point in the Ritter Range. This range is part of the larger Sierra Nevada mountains. Mount Ritter is located within the beautiful Ansel Adams Wilderness, which is managed by the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. It is the 15th highest mountain peak in California with a significant height difference from its surroundings.
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What Makes Mount Ritter Special?
Mount Ritter stands out because of its very dark rock. It looks quite striking and is easy to spot from far away. This is because it is so tall and not surrounded by other peaks of similar height.
Where is Mount Ritter Located?
Mount Ritter is right in the middle of the Ritter Range. Its close neighbors include Banner Peak and the unique rock formations called the Minarets. The shapes of Mount Ritter and Banner Peak together are so memorable that you can see them from high points across the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Who Named Mount Ritter?
Mount Ritter was named by Josiah Whitney. He was the leader of the California Geological Survey, a group that studied the land. Whitney named the mountain after Carl Ritter, who was his teacher in Berlin during the 1840s.
Images for kids
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Mount Ritter (on the left) from the John Muir Trail
