Sugar Loaf Mountain (Alaska) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sugar Loaf Mountain
Highest point
Elevation	4,784 ft (1,458 m)
Prominence	384 ft (117 m)
Isolation	2.4 mi (3.9 km)
Parent peak	Mount Healy (5,716 ft)
Geography
Sugar Loaf Mountain Location in Alaska
Location	Denali Borough Alaska, United States
Parent range	Alaska Range
Topo map	USGS Healy D-4
Climbing
Easiest route	Trail, scrambling

Sugar Loaf Mountain, also called Sugar Mountain, is a cool peak in the Alaska Range. It stands tall at 4,784 feet (about 1,458 meters) above sea level. You can find it near Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, United States.

This mountain is about 6 miles (10 km) northeast of the park's main office. It's also 6 miles (10 km) southeast of a town called Healy. The George Parks Highway and the Alaska Railroad run along the mountain's western side. They both pass through the beautiful Nenana River Gorge. Mount Healy, a taller mountain nearby, is about 5.2 miles (8.4 km) to the west. It's on the other side of the gorge. The name "Sugar Loaf" was given to this mountain in 1950 by the United States Geological Survey. It's a descriptive name, meaning it looks like a cone or a "sugar loaf."

Understanding Sugar Loaf Mountain's Climate

Sugar Loaf Mountain is in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has very long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers, however, are usually mild. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C (which is -4 °F). With the wind chill, it can feel even colder, sometimes below −30 °C (-22 °F).

The best time to visit or climb Sugar Loaf Mountain is from May through June. The weather during these months is usually the most pleasant. Rain and melting snow from the mountain flow into small streams. These streams then join the Nenana River. The Nenana River is part of a bigger water system called the Tanana River drainage basin.