Pinnacle Ridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinnacle Ridge |
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 Pinnacle Ridge
Location in Wyoming
Pinnacle Ridge
Location in the United States
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,365 ft (4,074 m) |
| Prominence | 325 ft (99 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Fremont / Sublette counties, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Parent range | Wind River Range |
| Topo map | USGS Gannett Peak |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Arête |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1933 H.H. Bliss, Paul Petzoldt |
Pinnacle Ridge is a cool natural feature in the Wind River Range of Wyoming, USA. It stands tall at about 13,365 feet (4,074 meters) above sea level. This makes it one of the highest points in Wyoming!
Pinnacle Ridge is a special type of mountain ridge called an arête. It's located almost exactly halfway between two other famous peaks: Gannett Peak to the north and Mount Woodrow Wilson to the south.
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What Makes Pinnacle Ridge Special?
Pinnacle Ridge is more than just a high point. It's an important part of the landscape. It helps us understand how mountains are formed and how water flows across continents.
Where is Pinnacle Ridge Located?
Pinnacle Ridge is found in the western part of the United States. It sits right on the border between two counties in Wyoming: Fremont County and Sublette County. This area is known for its amazing natural beauty and rugged mountains.
What is an Arête?
An arête is a narrow, sharp ridge of rock. It's often formed when two glaciers erode, or carve out, valleys on opposite sides of a mountain. Imagine two giant ice rivers slowly grinding away at the land. Over a very long time, they leave behind a thin, knife-like ridge. That's an arête! Pinnacle Ridge is a great example of this.
The Continental Divide
One of the most interesting things about Pinnacle Ridge is that it sits on the Continental Divide. This is like a giant imaginary line that runs through North and South America. On one side, all the rain and melted snow eventually flow towards the Pacific Ocean. On the other side, the water flows towards the Atlantic Ocean or the Arctic Ocean.
Pinnacle Ridge is part of this important divide. Water falling on its eastern slopes will eventually head towards the Atlantic. Water on its western slopes will make its way to the Pacific.
Glaciers Nearby
Even though it's a ridge, Pinnacle Ridge has a glacier on its eastern side. This is the Dinwoody Glacier. Glaciers are huge, slow-moving rivers of ice. They are remnants from colder times and continue to shape the landscape. The presence of the Dinwoody Glacier shows how cold and high this area is.
First Climbers
People have been exploring and climbing mountains for a long time. The first recorded climb to the top of Pinnacle Ridge happened in 1933. Two climbers, H.H. Bliss and Paul Petzoldt, were the first to reach its summit. Climbing mountains like Pinnacle Ridge requires skill and courage.
Pinnacle Ridge is a fantastic example of the natural wonders found in Wyoming's Wind River Range. It's a place where geology, history, and adventure all come together.
