Blackthorn Peak

Blackthorn Peak, also known as Black Thorn, is a 4,117 foot (1,255 meter) mountain summit located at the head of Glacier Bay's Geikie Inlet in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains, in southeast Alaska.^[1] The mountain is situated immediately east of Geikie Glacier, 80 mi (129 km) west-northwest of Juneau, and 2.5 mi (4 km) north of Threesome Mountain, which is the nearest higher peak. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the mountain rises up from tidewater in a little over two miles. The mountain was given its descriptive name in 1896 by Harry Fielding Reid, an American geophysicist who studied glaciology in Glacier Bay.^[1] Weather permitting, Blackthorn Peak can be seen from Glacier Bay, which is a popular destination for cruise ships. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing the peak.

Blackthorn Peak
Black Thorn
Blackthorn Peak, northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation	4,117 ft (1,255 m)[1]
Prominence	1,900 ft (580 m)[2]
Parent peak	Mount Aleutka (5,200 ft)[3]
Isolation	2.5 mi (4.0 km)[2]
Coordinates	58°34′24″N 136°34′19″W[2]
Geography
Blackthorn Peak Location of Blackthorn Peak in Alaska
Location	Glacier Bay National Park Hoonah-Angoon Alaska, United States
Parent range	Fairweather Range Saint Elias Mountains[2]
Topo map	USGS Mount Fairweather C-2
Climbing
First ascent	1898 by gold prospectors[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Blackthorn Peak is located in a subpolar oceanic climate zone, with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers.^[4] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Saint Elias Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below 0 °F with wind chill factors below −10 °F. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Glacier Bay Basin.

Blackthorn Peak from Geikie Inlet, with Contact Peak to left

See also

• List of mountain peaks of Alaska
• Geography of Alaska

References

1. "Blackthorn Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
2. "Blackthorn Peak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
3. "Blackthorn Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
4. 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.

External links

• Weather forecast: Blackthorn Peak