Mount Starr King (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Starr King |
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Mount Starr King's west face.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 9,096 ft (2,772 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,012 ft (308 m) |
| Parent peak | Mount Clark |
| Listing | SPS Mountaineers peak |
| Geography | |
| Location | Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Half Dome |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | August 1876 by George Bailey and E. S. Schuyler via Northeast Side, class 5.2 |
| Easiest route | Rock climb, class 5 |
Mount Starr King is a super cool and unique mountain shaped like a giant, smooth rock dome! It's found in the amazing Yosemite National Park in California. This granite dome stands tall at about 9,096 feet (2,773 meters) above the sea.
Climbing Mount Starr King is a real adventure. It needs special climbing skills and gear because its sides are very steep and smooth. The easiest ways to climb it are rated as "low class 5" on a special scale called the Yosemite Decimal System.
The mountain was named after Thomas Starr King, who was a Unitarian preacher and also worked to make big changes in politics. Over time, this mountain has been known by a few different names, like Kings Peak, See-wah-lam, South Dome, and Tis-sa-ack.
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About Mount Starr King
Mount Starr King is a famous landmark inside Yosemite National Park. It's known for its unique shape, which looks like a giant, smooth half-sphere or dome made of rock.
What Makes Mount Starr King Special?
This mountain is a type of landform called a granite dome. This means it's a huge, rounded hill or mountain made from granite rock. Granite is a very hard type of rock that forms deep underground. Over millions of years, the softer rock around it wears away, leaving these amazing domes standing tall. Mount Starr King's smooth, rounded top is a perfect example of this.
Where is Mount Starr King Located?
You can find Mount Starr King in the beautiful Yosemite National Park. It's located in Mariposa County, California, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This area is famous for its stunning natural beauty, including huge granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant trees.
Climbing Mount Starr King
Climbing Mount Starr King is a challenging activity that requires serious preparation. It's not a hike you can just walk up.
The Challenge of Climbing
Because Mount Starr King is a smooth granite dome, climbing it means you need "technical skills." This means you have to know how to use special climbing equipment like ropes, harnesses, and protective gear. You also need to know specific climbing moves to get up the steep, slippery rock faces. The easiest paths to the top are still considered difficult and are only for experienced climbers.
What is the Yosemite Decimal System?
When you hear about climbing, you might hear numbers like "Class 5." This comes from the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). It's a way to rate how hard a rock climb is.
- Class 1 is easy walking.
- Class 2 is hiking with some rough spots.
- Class 3 means you might need to use your hands to balance.
- Class 4 means you'll need to use your hands and feet a lot, and a fall could be dangerous.
- Class 5 is where true rock climbing begins. You need ropes and special gear to stay safe. The higher the number after the 5 (like 5.2 or 5.9), the harder the climb. Mount Starr King's easiest routes are rated as "low class 5," meaning they are challenging rock climbs.
How Mount Starr King Got Its Name
Mountains and landmarks often get their names from important people or events. Mount Starr King is no different.
Who Was Thomas Starr King?
The mountain is named after Thomas Starr King (1824–1864). He was a very important person in California's history. He was a Unitarian minister, which means he was a religious leader. But he was also a strong political activist. During the American Civil War, he traveled around California giving speeches. He helped convince many people in California to support the Union (the northern states) and stay part of the United States, instead of joining the Confederate (southern) states. He was a powerful speaker and played a big role in shaping California's future.
Other Names for the Mountain
Before it was officially named Mount Starr King, the mountain had other names. Some of these names came from local Native American tribes, like "See-wah-lam" and "Tis-sa-ack." It was also sometimes called "Kings Peak" or "South Dome" because of its shape and location.
