Red Slate Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red Slate Mountain |
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Red Slate Mountain from Lake Dorothy
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,129+ ft (4,002+ m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,683 ft (513 m) |
| Parent peak | Ruby Peak |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Fresno / Mono counties, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Convict Lake |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Paleozoic |
| Mountain type | Metamorphic rock |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1898 by Joseph N. LeConte and Clarence L. Cory |
| Easiest route | Scramble, class 1 & 2 |
Red Slate Mountain is a tall mountain peak located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. It stands at over 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) high. This mountain sits right on the Sierra Crest, which is a natural boundary. This boundary separates Fresno County from Mono County, California.
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Where is Red Slate Mountain?
Red Slate Mountain is part of the huge Sierra Nevada mountain range. This range stretches along the eastern side of California. The mountain itself is found where two counties meet: Fresno County and Mono County. It's a significant landmark in this part of the Sierra Nevada.
How to Reach the Summit
Climbing Red Slate Mountain is a fun adventure for experienced hikers. The easiest way to reach the top is by scrambling. This means climbing over rocks and steep slopes using both your hands and feet. You can start your climb from two main areas. One popular starting point is near McGee Pass. Another way to begin your ascent is from Bighorn Lake.
What is the Mountain Made Of?
Red Slate Mountain is made of a type of rock called Metamorphic rock. This kind of rock forms when other rocks are changed by heat and pressure deep inside the Earth. The mountain's name, "Red Slate," likely comes from the color and type of these rocks. These rocks are very old, dating back to a time period called the Paleozoic Era.
Earthquakes Nearby
The area north of Red Slate Mountain is quite active when it comes to earthquakes. This activity is linked to a large volcanic area called the Long Valley Caldera. A caldera is a huge bowl-shaped hollow that forms after a volcano erupts and collapses. The ground around this caldera moves a lot, causing small earthquakes. Scientists study this area to understand more about how the Earth's crust behaves.
How Red Slate Mountain Got Its Name
The name "Red Slate Mountain" was given by the California Geological Survey in 1873. This group was exploring and mapping California's natural features. However, there's a bit of a mystery about the name. It's not completely clear if they meant to name this exact peak or a nearby one called Red and White Mountain. Both mountains have similar rock types and colors.
First Climbers
The first recorded climb to the top of Red Slate Mountain happened in 1898. Two explorers, Joseph N. LeConte and Clarence L. Cory, were the first to reach its summit. They were pioneers in exploring and mapping the Sierra Nevada mountains.
