Tokosha Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tokosha Mountains |
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Tokosha Mountains, east aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,148 ft (1,874 m) |
| Prominence | 2,898 ft (883 m) |
| Isolation | 10.12 mi (16.29 km) |
| Geography | |
 Tokosha Mountains
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States |
| Parent range | Alaska Range |
| Topo map | USGS Talkeetna C-2 |
| Type of rock | Granite |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1975 by David Johnston and Brian Okonek |
The Tokosha Mountains are a group of mountains in Alaska, United States. They stand 6,148 ft (1,870 m) tall. You can find them in the Alaska Range, inside Denali National Park and Preserve.
These mountains are located between two large glaciers, the Ruth Glacier and the Tokositna Glacier. They are about 27 mi (43 km) south-southeast of Denali, which is North America's tallest peak. The town of Talkeetna is about 26 mi (42 km) to the northwest. Even though they are not the tallest mountains, the Tokosha Mountains are famous for their sharp, pointy granite peaks. These peaks look a lot like the Teton Mountains and can be seen from the George Parks Highway.
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Exploring the Tokosha Mountains
The Tokosha Mountains are a challenging place for climbers. Their steep granite walls attract experienced mountaineers. The area is remote, meaning it is far from cities and towns. This makes it a true wilderness adventure for anyone who visits.
What is a Massif?
The Tokosha Mountains are called a "massif." A massif is a compact group of mountains that forms a distinct block. Think of it like a big, solid chunk of Earth's crust that has been pushed up.
Why are the Peaks Pointy?
The sharp, pointy shapes of the Tokosha Mountains are due to the type of rock they are made of: granite. Granite is a very hard rock. Over millions of years, ice, wind, and water have carved these hard rocks into the dramatic spires you see today.
History of the Tokosha Mountains
The name Tokosha comes from the Denaʼina language, which is spoken by some native people of Alaska. In their language, tokosha means "treeless" or "treeless area." This name was given to the mountains in 1906 by an explorer named Belmore Browne. He was part of an expedition trying to climb Denali.
First People to Climb Grand Tokosha
The very first time someone successfully climbed the main peak, called Grand Tokosha, was on March 3, 1975. The climbers were David Johnston and Brian Okonek. This was a big achievement because the mountains are so challenging to climb.
