Independence Peak
Northwest aspect
Highest point
Elevation11,742 ft (3,579 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence358 ft (109 m)[1]
Parent peakUniversity Peak[2]
Isolation1.89 mi (3.04 km)[2]
ListingSierra Peaks Section[3]
Coordinates36°45′39″N 118°19′55″W / 36.7609598°N 118.3318345°W / 36.7609598; -118.3318345[4]
Geography
Independence Peak is located in California
Independence Peak
Independence Peak
Location in California
Independence Peak is located in the United States
Independence Peak
Independence Peak
Independence Peak (the United States)
LocationInyo County California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Kearsarge Peak
Geology
Age of rockCretaceous
Mountain typeFault block
Climbing
First ascentJanuary 17, 1926 by Norman Clyde[5]
Easiest routeExposed scramble, class 3[5]

Independence Peak is an 11,742-foot-elevation (3,579-meter) mountain summit located one mile east of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Inyo County of northern California.[4] It is situated immediately south of Onion Valley on the eastern boundary of John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. It is also 8 miles (13 km) west-southwest of the community of Independence, and 1.9 miles (3.1 km) northeast of parent University Peak. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) above Onion Valley in one mile. Independence Peak can be climbed via the north slope from Onion Valley. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1926 by Norman Clyde, who is credited with 130 first ascents, most of which were in the Sierra Nevada.[6] He climbed this peak three times in 1926, and twice in 1927.[7] He was principal of the high school in Independence from 1924 to 1928, which provided him access to this nearest peak to his home.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Independence Peak has an alpine climate.[8] 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, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range (orographic lift). Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains north into Independence Creek, thence Owens Valley.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Independence Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  2. 1 2 "Independence Peak CA". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  3. ↑ "Sierra Peaks Section List" (PDF). Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  4. 1 2 "Independence Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  5. 1 2 Secor, R.J. (1992). The High Sierra Peaks, Passes, and Trails (1st ed.). Seattle: The Mountaineers. p. 151. ISBN 978-0898863130.
  6. ↑ "Norman Clyde - Mountaineer". OwensValleyHistory.com. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  7. ↑ Voge, Hervey H. (1954). A Climber’s Guide to the High Sierra. ISBN 978-0871560643. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  8. ↑ Peel, M. C.; Finlaysonv, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.
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