Vista Peak (Alaska) Explained

Vista Peak
Elevation Ft:5019
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:722
Prominence Ref:[2]
Isolation Mi:1.40
Parent Peak:Mile High Peak (5,331 ft)
Country:United States
State:Alaska
Region:Anchorage
Region Type:Borough
Part Type:Protected area
Part:Chugach State Park
Range:Chugach Mountains[3]
Map:USA Alaska
Label Position:left
Coordinates:61.3311°N -149.3806°W
Topo:USGS Anchorage B-7

Vista Peak is a 50190NaN0 mountain summit in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Description

Vista Peak is located 20miles northeast of Anchorage in the western Chugach Mountains and within Chugach State Park.[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to Knik Arm via Peters Creek and Eagle River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 3,400 feet (1,036 m) above Peters Creek in 2.5miles and 4,600 feet (1,400 m) above Eagle River in 4miles. An ascent of the summit involves hiking six miles with 3,980 feet of elevation gain.[4] The months of May through September offer the best time for climbing the peak. The mountain's toponym appears on USGS maps, but it has not been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Vista Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[5] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −20 °F.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vista Peak - 5,019' AK. listsofjohn.com. 2023-12-28.
  2. Web site: Vista Peak, Peakvisor.com. 2023-12-28.
  3. 23687. Vista Peak, Alaska. 2023-12-28.
  4. https://books.google.com/books?id=TuaLDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT143&dq=Vista+Peak+chugach+Alaska&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjI-8G7o7ODAxXiMUQIHekFDYIQuwV6BAgNEAc#v=onepage&q=Vista%20Peak%20chugach%20Alaska&f=false Lisa Maloney, Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska
  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 . 5 . 1633 . 10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 . free . 2007HESS...11.1633P . 1027-5606.