Mount Sunflower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Sunflower |
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The "summit" of Mount Sunflower
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,039 ft (1,231 m) |
| Prominence | 19 ft (5.8 m) |
| Listing | U.S. state high point 28th |
| Geography | |
 Mount Sunflower
Location in Kansas
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| Location | Wallace County, Kansas, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Sunflower |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Driving |
Mount Sunflower is the highest natural point in the state of Kansas. Even though it's called a "mountain," it doesn't look like the tall, pointy mountains you might imagine. Instead, it's more like a gentle rise in the land.
This special spot is located in Wallace County, very close to the border with Colorado. It stands at about 4,039 feet (1,231 meters) above sea level. That's quite high, but because the land around it is also high, it doesn't stand out much.
What Makes Mount Sunflower Unique?
Kansas is known for its flat lands, but the state actually gets higher as you travel from the east to the west. Mount Sunflower is at the very western edge of Kansas, which is why it's the highest point.
Because the land slowly rises, Mount Sunflower doesn't have a steep peak. It looks much like the farms and fields around it. This makes it different from many other state high points, which are often true mountains.
How High Is It Really?
Mount Sunflower is 4,039 feet (1,231 meters) above sea level. This is about 3,300 feet (1,006 meters) higher than the lowest point in Kansas. The lowest point is in Montgomery County, in the southeastern part of the state.
Even though it's the highest point in Kansas, it's quite close to the lowest point in the neighboring state of Colorado. This shows how the land changes gradually across this part of the country.
Visiting Mount Sunflower
Mount Sunflower is on private land, but the owners allow visitors to come and see this unique spot. It's a popular place for people who enjoy visiting the highest points in different states.
There's a small picnic table and a metal sunflower sculpture at the "summit." This makes it a fun place to stop and take pictures. You can usually drive right up to the top.
