Virginia Peak (Yosemite) Explained

Virginia Peak
Elevation Ft:12002
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:481
Range:Sierra Nevada
Listing:Highest mountains of Yosemite NP
Location:Yosemite National Park
Tuolumne County, California, U.S.
Map:USA California#USA
Map Size:220
Label Position:bottom
Coordinates:38.0658°N -119.3581°W
Topo:USGS Dunderberg Peak
Easiest Route: to
Fetchwikidata:ALL

Virginia Peak is a mountain summit in the northern part of Yosemite National Park, north of Tuolumne Meadows. It is the 25th-highest mountain in Yosemite National Park.[2]

Virginia Peak's particulars

Virginia Peak is in northeastern Yosemite National Park, on a north–south ridge splitting off the main Sierra crest at Twin Peaks.

Virginia Pass and Sawtooth Ridge are near, as are Whorl Mountain, Excelsior Mountain and Matterhorn Peak.[3]

Near Virginia Pass, viewed from the east, Virginia Peak looks dark, forbidding - it is not composed of more-common Yosemite granite, but of reddish metamorphic rock, such as is found on Mount Dana and Dunderberg Peak.[4] Of note, Virginia Peak is along the ancient boundary between the Sierra Nevada Batholith's intruding granite and pre-existing sediments, which are now metamorphosed, so-called metasediments.[5]

Climate

Virginia Peak is located in an alpine climate zone.[6] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing moisture in the form of rain or snowfall to drop onto the range.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. 13558. Virginia Peak, California. 2019-03-18.
  2. Web site: Yosemite NP Peaks . Peakbagger.com . 18 March 2019 . Kelliher, Mat.
  3. Web site: Virginia Peak, Part of Yosemite National Park . Anyplaceamerica.com . 19 March 2019.
  4. Web site: Virginia Peak, California, United States, North America . Summitpost.org . 18 March 2019 . Steeleman.
  5. Web site: Stanton Peak . Summitpost.org . 18 March 2019 . mpbro.
  6. Encyclopedia: Climate of the Sierra Nevada . Encyclopædia Britannica.