Mount Spencer (California) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Spencer
Mount Spencer (center left) from Evolution Lake
Highest point
Elevation	12,431 ft (3,789 m)  NGVD 29
Prominence	221 ft (67 m)
Geography
Mount Spencer Location in California Show map of California Mount Spencer Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Kings Canyon National Park, Fresno County, California, U.S.
Parent range	Sierra Nevada
Climbing
First ascent	August 20, 1921 by Robert M. Prince, George J. young, H.W. Hill, and Peter Frandsen
Easiest route	Scramble from the southeast saddle, class 2

Mount Spencer is a mountain peak that stands 12,431 feet (about 3,789 meters) tall. It is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. You can find it within Kings Canyon National Park in Fresno County.

Why Is Mount Spencer Called That?

Mount Spencer is named after Herbert Spencer. He was an English philosopher and a very important scientist. He studied evolution and is famous for coining the phrase "survival of the fittest." This phrase talks about how living things adapt to their environment to survive.

Mountains Named After Scientists

Mount Spencer is part of a group of mountains called the Evolution Group. Many of these mountains are named after famous scientists who studied evolution. Some of these nearby peaks include:

• Mount Darwin
• Mount Mendel
• Mount Fiske
• Mount Haeckel
• Mount Huxley
• Mount Wallace
• Mount Lamarck

The area around these peaks is known as the Evolution Region. It includes beautiful places like Evolution Basin and Evolution Valley.

What Makes Mount Spencer Special?

Even though Mount Spencer is not one of the most famous peaks, it offers amazing views. If you are hiking on the John Muir Trail or visiting Evolution Lake, you can see a very picturesque (beautiful) view of Mount Spencer.

How Do People Climb Mount Spencer?

The easiest way to climb Mount Spencer is by "scrambling" from its southeast side. Scrambling means climbing over rocks and rough terrain using both your hands and feet. It's like a mix between hiking and rock climbing. The difficulty is rated as class 2, which means it's a relatively easy scramble.

Who Climbed Mount Spencer First?

The first recorded climb to the top of Mount Spencer happened on August 20, 1921. The climbers were Robert M. Prince, George J. Young, H.W. Hill, and Peter Frandsen.