Cathedral Range Explained

Cathedral Range
Photo Size:300
Country:United States
State:California
District:Madera, Tuolumne, and Mariposa
District Type:Counties
Topo Map:Mount Lyell
Topo Maker:USGS
Parent:Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
Range Coordinates:37.7394°N -119.2718°W
Range Coordinates Ref:[1]
Highest:Mount Florence
Elevation Ft:12561
Elevation Ref:[2]
Length Mi:10
Map:USA California#USA
Map Size:220

The Cathedral Range is a mountain range immediately to the south of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. The range is an offshoot of the Sierra Nevada. The range is named after Cathedral Peak, which resembles a cathedral spire.

Geography

The range includes Cathedral Peak, Unicorn Peak, Eichorn Pinnacle, Echo Peaks, Echo Ridge, Matthes Crest, Rafferty Peak, Vogelsang Peak, Fletcher Peak and Cockscomb.[3] The highest point in the range is Mount Florence, one of the most prominent peaks in the Yosemite high country. The highest peak in Tuolumne Meadows is Johnson Peak.

The range runs beside the two Cathedral Lakes, just one mile southwest of Cathedral Peak. Hikers can access the lakes and Cathedral range by the John Muir trail from the trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows.

Geology

The mountains were formed by glaciers carving out the granite material; also see Cathedral Peak Granodiorite. The tops of the peaks in the range were above the level of the highest glaciation, and are therefore un-eroded and distinctly spire-like; see nunatak.

Notes and References

  1. 254725. Cathedral Range. 2009-05-03.
  2. 126213 . Cathedral Range . 2012-11-16.
  3. Web site: Unicorn Peak. Sep 25, 2003. July 22, 2014. Summit Post. Burd. Bob.