Unicorn Peak (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Unicorn Peak |
|
|---|---|
Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb, Echo Ridge and Cathedral Peak
|
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,823 ft (3,299 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 103 ft (31 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Yosemite National Park, California, United States |
| Parent range | Cathedral Range, Sierra Nevada |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous |
| Mountain type | Granite |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Francis P. Farquhar and James Rennie in 1911 |
| Easiest route | Rock climb class 4 |
Unicorn Peak is a tall mountain peak located in Tuolumne Meadows, a beautiful area within Yosemite National Park in California. This peak stands to the east of Cathedral Peak, and its northern top is the highest point.
Unicorn Peak is part of a group of mountains known as the Cathedral Range.
During the last great ice age, a very cold period when huge sheets of ice called glaciers covered much of the Earth, Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb Peak, and Cathedral Peak were special. They were like "islands" of rock sticking out above the ice. These "rock islands" are called nunataks. As the glaciers moved, they carved and shaped the lower parts of these peaks, making them sharper and more dramatic.
Exploring the Area Around Unicorn Peak
Unicorn Peak is surrounded by many interesting natural features in Yosemite National Park. Here are some places that are close to the peak:
Hiking and Rock Climbing Adventures
Many people enjoy exploring the area around Unicorn Peak. You can hike to its base and visit other nearby beautiful spots.
If you want to reach the very top of Unicorn Peak, the easiest way is to rock climb it. This route is rated as a class 4 climb, which means it requires some basic climbing skills. There are also other, more challenging, climbing routes available for experienced climbers.
