Ptarmigan Peak (Baranof Island)

Mountain in Alaska, United States

Ptarmigan Peak
Northeast aspect, from Big Port Walter
Highest point
Elevation	2,972 ft (906 m)
Prominence	622 ft (190 m)
Parent peak	Peak 3250
Isolation	0.98 mi (1.58 km)
Coordinates	56°22′00″N 134°46′15″W / 56.3665361°N 134.7708029°W / 56.3665361; -134.7708029
Naming
Etymology	Ptarmigan
Geography
Ptarmigan PeakLocation of Ptarmigan Peak in Alaska
Country	United States
State	Alaska
City and Borough	Sitka
Protected area	Tongass National Forest
Parent range	Alexander Archipelago
Topo map	USGS Port Alexander B-3

Ptarmigan Peak is a 2,972-foot-elevation (906-meter) mountain summit in Alaska, United States.

Description

Ptarmigan Peak is located on Baranof Island and 9.4 miles (15.1 km) north-northwest of Port Alexander, Alaska. It is set on land managed by Tongass National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's east slopes drains to Port Walter, whereas the west slopes drain to Big Branch Bay. Although modest in elevation, topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,972 feet (906 m) above tidewater of Big Branch Bay in 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and 1,400 feet (427 m) above an unnamed lake to the north in 0.35 mi (0.56 km). The peak's local name was recorded in 1951 by the U.S. Geological Survey and the toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Ptarmigan Peak is located in a subpolar oceanic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers. Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rain and snow. Winter temperatures can drop to 10 °F with wind chill factors below 0 °F.

References

^ Donald J. Orth, Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1967, page 780.
National Geodetic Survey Data Sheet, Retrieved 2024-01-24.
^ "Ptarmigan Peak - 2,972' AK". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
^ "Ptarmigan Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.