Penguin Peak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Penguin Peak
Penguin Peak seen from Bird Ridge
Highest point
Elevation	4,331 ft (1,320 m)
Prominence	1,437 ft (438 m)
Geography
Penguin Peak Location in Alaska
Location	Chugach National Forest Anchorage Municipality, Alaska United States
Parent range	Chugach Mountains
Topo map	USGS Seward D-7
Climbing
Easiest route	Hiking class 2

Penguin Peak is a 4,331-foot (1,320 m) mountain summit located in the Chugach Mountains, in Anchorage Municipality in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Chugach State Park, 30 mi (48 km) southeast of downtown Anchorage, and 8 mi (13 km) east of the Alyeska Resort and Girdwood area. The peak is the dominant feature along the north shore of Turnagain Arm when traveling the Seward Highway, and the summit offers a good view of Mount Alpenglow, 6 mi (10 km) directly across Turnagain Arm to the south.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Penguin Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Penguin Creek and Turnagain Arm.

Images for kids

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  Penguin Peak seen from Seward Highway

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  Summit detail

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  Panorama from Bird Ridge with Penguin Peak centered