Sentinel Peak (Alaska) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sentinel Peak
Sentinel Peak, south aspect
Highest point
Elevation	4,355 ft (1,327 m)
Prominence	1,710 ft (520 m)
Parent peak	Rendu Peak (5341ft)
Geography
Sentinel Peak Location in Alaska
Location	Glacier Bay National Park Hoonah-Angoon Alaska, United States
Parent range	Alsek Ranges Saint Elias Mountains
Topo map	USGS Mount Fairweather D-2
Climbing
Easiest route	South ridge

Sentinel Peak is a mountain that stands 4,355 feet (1,327 meters) tall. It is located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in southeast Alaska. The mountain is part of the Alsek Ranges within the larger Saint Elias Mountains.

You can find Sentinel Peak southwest of the Carroll Glacier. It is about 87 miles (140 km) northwest of Juneau. Even though it's not the tallest mountain, it looks very impressive. This is because it rises sharply from the ocean in just a short distance.

A scientist named Harry Fielding Reid gave the mountain its name in 1892. He was an American geophysicist who studied glaciers in Glacier Bay. He called it "Sentinel Peak" because it stands like a guard, watching over the Carroll Glacier. A sentinel is a guard whose job is to stand and keep watch. If the weather is good, you can see Sentinel Peak from Glacier Bay, which many cruise ships visit. The best time to see or climb the peak is usually from May to June.

What is the Climate Like?

Sentinel Peak has a subarctic climate. This means it has cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Temperatures can drop very low, sometimes below −20 °C. With the wind chill, it can feel even colder, below −30 °C. All the rain and melted snow from the mountain flows into the Glacier Bay Basin.

Images for kids

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  Sentinel Peak at the head of Queen Inlet