Ptarmigan Peak (Baranof Island) Explained

Ptarmigan Peak
Elevation Ft:2972
Elevation Ref:[1] [2]
Prominence Ft:622
Prominence Ref:[3]
Isolation Mi:0.98
Parent Peak:Peak 3250
Etymology:Ptarmigan
Range:Alexander Archipelago
Country:United States
State:Alaska
Region:Sitka
Region Type:City and Borough
Part Type:Protected area
Part:Tongass National Forest
Map:USA Alaska
Label Position:left
Coordinates:56.3665°N -134.7708°W
Coordinates Ref:[4]
Topo:USGS Port Alexander B-3

Ptarmigan Peak is a 2972feet mountain summit in Alaska, United States.

Description

Ptarmigan Peak is located on Baranof Island and 9.4miles north-northwest of Port Alexander, Alaska.[4] It is set on land managed by Tongass National Forest.[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's east slopes drains to Port Walter, whereas the west slopes drain to Big Branch Bay. Although modest in elevation, topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,972 feet (906 m) above tidewater of Big Branch Bay in 1.5miles and 1,400 feet (427 m) above an unnamed lake to the north in 0.35miles. The peak's local name was recorded in 1951 by the U.S. Geological Survey and the toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[1]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Ptarmigan Peak is located in a subpolar oceanic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.[5] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rain and snow. Winter temperatures can drop to 10 °F with wind chill factors below 0 °F.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Donald J. Orth, Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1967, page 780.
  2. https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=TT9749 National Geodetic Survey Data Sheet
  3. Web site: Ptarmigan Peak - 2,972' AK. listsofjohn.com. 2024-01-24.
  4. 1424670. Ptarmigan Peak. 2024-01-24.
  5. Peel, M. C. . Finlayson, B. L. . McMahon, T. A. . 2007 . Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification . Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. . 11 . 1027-5606.