The Wedge (Alaska) Explained

The Wedge
Elevation Ft:4660.
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:610.
Prominence Ref:[2]
Isolation Mi:1.14
Parent Peak:The Ramp
Range:Chugach Mountains
Country:United States
State:Alaska
Region:Anchorage Municipality
Region Type:Borough
Part Type:Protected area
Part:Chugach State Park
Map:USA Alaska
Label Position:left
Coordinates:61.0746°N -149.5629°W
Coordinates Ref:[3]
Topo:USGS Anchorage A-7

The Wedge is a 46600NaN0 mountain summit in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Description

The Wedge is located 13miles southeast of Anchorage in the Chugach Mountains and Chugach State Park. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into Campbell Creek and east into headwaters of Ship Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 2,000 feet (550 m) above South Fork Campbell Creek in 1miles and 2,000 feet (550 m) above Ship Lake in 0.75miles. Access to the mountain is via the Powerline Trail.[4] The Wedge is a popular destination during the months of May through September.[5] The mountain's descriptive toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Geological Survey.[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, The Wedge is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[6] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rain and snow. Winter temperatures can drop below 10 °F with wind chill factors below 0 °F.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. 23699. The Wedge, Alaska. 2024-01-26.
  2. Web site: Wedge, The - 4,660' AK. listsofjohn.com. 2024-01-26.
  3. 1410846. The Wedge. 2024-01-26.
  4. Explorer's Guides: 50 Hikes Around Anchorage, Lisa Maloney, The Countryman Press, 2010, p. 99.
  5. Shawn Lyons, Walk About Guide To Alaska: The Front Range and the Anchorage Bowl, Publication Consultants, 2018,
  6. Peel, M. C. . Finlayson, B. L. . McMahon, T. A. . 2007 . Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification . Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. . 11 . 1633–1644 . 1027-5606.