Giraud Peak - Misplaced Pages

Mountain in the American state of California

Giraud Peak
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation	12,608 ft (3,843 m)
Prominence	888 ft (271 m)
Parent peak	Columbine Peak (12,662 ft)
Isolation	1.50 mi (2.41 km)
Listing	Sierra Peaks Section
Coordinates	37°04′38″N 118°33′52″W / 37.0772971°N 118.5644770°W / 37.0772971; -118.5644770
Naming
Etymology	Pierre Joseph Giraud
Geography
Giraud PeakLocation in CaliforniaShow map of CaliforniaGiraud PeakGiraud Peak (the United States)Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	California
County	Fresno
Protected area	Kings Canyon National Park
Parent range	Sierra Nevada Palisades
Topo map	USGS North Palisade
Geology
Rock type	granite
Climbing
First ascent	1925 Norman Clyde
Easiest route	class 2 East arête

Giraud Peak is a 12,608-foot-elevation (3,843-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Fresno County of northern California, United States. It is situated in the Palisades area of northern Kings Canyon National Park, 3.0 miles (4.8 km) southwest of North Palisade, and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of Columbine Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. Giraud Peak ranks as the 258th-highest summit in California. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 4,400 feet (1,300 meters) above LeConte Canyon in less than two miles. On the direct opposite side of the canyon The Citadel stands guard. The first ascent of the summit was made September 1, 1925, by Norman Clyde via the east arête.

Etymology

This mountain's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. It was probably named for Pierre "Little Pete" Giraud (1874–1907), a shepherd of Inyo County who was made famous in Mary Austin's 1906 book, The Flock. Pierre and his younger brother, Alfred, were French immigrants who arrived in the Owens Valley, where they grazed sheep for many years at the head of the South and Middle Forks of Kings River.

Climate

Giraud Peak is located in an alpine climate zone. Most weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean 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 into tributaries of the Middle Fork Kings River.