Olancha Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olancha Peak |
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Olancha Peak seen from Bald Mountain, summer 2007.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 12,132 ft (3,698 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,083 ft (940 m) |
| Listing | SPS Emblem peak |
| Geography | |
 Olancha Peak
Location in California
Olancha Peak
Location in the United States
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| Location | Tulare / Inyo counties, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Olancha |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scramble, class 2 |
Olancha Peak is a tall mountain located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. It stands about 12,132 feet (3,700 meters) high. This impressive peak sits right on the border between Tulare County and Inyo County. It is also part of the beautiful South Sierra Wilderness. The mountain gets its name from the nearby town of Olancha.
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What Makes Olancha Peak Special?
Olancha Peak is known for its unique appearance. Some people think parts of the mountain's southern side look like a giant face or a sleeping person. Because of this, it has two special nicknames: "Indianhead" and "the Sleeping Maiden." You can see these shapes if you look at the mountain from certain places.
A High Point in the Sierra Nevada
Olancha Peak is one of the highest mountains in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada. It is located south of Mount Whitney, which is the tallest mountain in the continental United States. Olancha Peak is the southernmost peak in the Sierra Nevada that rises far above the treeline. The treeline is the elevation where trees stop growing because it's too cold and windy.
Weather on the Mountain
Because Olancha Peak is so high, it gets a lot of cold weather. Most of the rain that falls on the mountain actually comes down as snow. This makes the peak a snowy wonderland for much of the year.
Exploring Olancha Peak
Climbing Olancha Peak is an exciting adventure for experienced hikers. The easiest way to reach the top is by scrambling. This means you'll need to use both your hands and feet to climb over rocks and steep sections. The views from the summit are amazing, offering wide-open sights of the surrounding wilderness.
Images for kids
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Olancha Peak's east side seen from Owens Valley
