Porphyry Mountain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Porphyry Mountain
Northwest aspect of Porphyry Mountain featuring the National Creek Rock Glacier
Highest point
Elevation	6,375 ft (1,943 m)
Prominence	1,675 ft (511 m)
Isolation	3.42 mi (5.50 km)
Parent peak	Bonanza Peak
Geography
Porphyry Mountain Location in Alaska
Location	Wrangell-St. Elias National Park Valdez-Cordova Borough Alaska, United States
Parent range	Wrangell Mountains
Topo map	USGS McCarthy B-5

Porphyry Mountain is a tall mountain in Alaska, United States. It stands 6,375 feet (1,943 meters) high. This mountain is part of the Wrangell Mountains.

You can find Porphyry Mountain inside Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It is located near the towns of Kennecott and McCarthy. The mountain is also about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Sourdough Peak.

Water from the mountain flows into streams that lead to the Nizina River. This river is part of the larger Copper River system. A special feature of Porphyry Mountain is a rock glacier on its northern side.

The mountain gets its name because it is mostly made of a type of rock called porphyry. Porphyry is a very hard igneous rock, which means it formed from cooled magma or lava. The name "Porphyry Mountain" was first reported in 1908. On a clear day, you can see amazing views from the top. These views include Donoho Peak, Kennicott Glacier, and Mount Blackburn.

Mountain Climate

Porphyry Mountain has a subarctic climate. This means it has very long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually cool.

Weather systems from the Gulf of Alaska often hit the Wrangell Mountains. The mountains force the air upwards. This process is called orographic lift. It causes a lot of rain and snow to fall on the mountain.

During winter, temperatures can drop below −20 °C (−4 °F). With the wind, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (−22 °F). The best time to visit or climb Porphyry Mountain is usually from May through June. The weather during these months is often the most pleasant.