Mount Williams (Alaska) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Williams
Mount Williams (left), seen with Mt. O'Neel, Childs Glacier, and Copper River
Highest point
Elevation	7,200+ ft (2,190+ m)
Prominence	3,200 ft (980 m)
Isolation	9.98 mi (16.06 km)
Geography
Mount Williams Location in Alaska
Location	Chugach National Forest Valdez-Cordova Borough Alaska, United States
Parent range	Chugach Mountains
Topo map	USGS Cordova C-3

Mount Williams is a tall mountain in Alaska, part of the Chugach Mountains. It stands about 7,200 feet (2,195 meters) high. This mountain is covered in ice and snow, which means it is "glaciated."

You can find Mount Williams about 30 miles (48 km) northeast of a town called Cordova. It's also close to another mountain, Mount O'Neel. The land around Mount Williams is looked after by the Chugach National Forest. Even though it's not the tallest mountain, it rises very steeply. It goes up over 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) in less than one mile from the huge Childs Glacier.

The mountain got its name in 1910 from a geographer named Lawrence Martin. He named it after Alfred Williams. Alfred Williams was an engineer who helped build a very important steel bridge. This bridge, called the Miles Glacier Bridge, cost a lot of money (about $1,500,000!). It was built across the Copper River between 1909 and 1910, very close to this mountain. The name "Mount Williams" became official in 1930, thanks to the United States Board on Geographic Names.

Weather and Climate Around Mount Williams

Mount Williams is in a very specific climate zone. It has long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually cool. This type of weather is called a subpolar oceanic climate.

How the Weather Works Here

The Gulf of Alaska is a large body of water nearby. Winds from the Gulf blow towards the Chugach Mountains. When these winds hit the mountains, they are forced to go upwards. This process is called "orographic lift." As the air rises, it cools down and drops a lot of rain and snow. This is why the area gets so much precipitation.

Temperatures and Glaciers

In winter, temperatures can drop very low, sometimes even below −20 °C. With the wind, it can feel like −30 °C or colder! This cold climate helps keep the large glaciers nearby. The Childs Glacier is to the south of Mount Williams, and the Allen Glacier is to the north. If you want to see the mountain or try climbing it, the best time to visit is usually during May and June. The weather is most favorable then.