The Wedge (Alaska)

The Wedge
West aspect
Highest point
Elevation4,660 ft (1,420 m)[1]
Prominence610 ft (186 m)[2]
Parent peakThe Ramp[2]
Isolation1.14 mi (1.83 km)[2]
Coordinates61°04′29″N 149°33′47″W / 61.0746039°N 149.5629429°W / 61.0746039; -149.5629429[3]
Geography
The Wedge is located in Alaska
The Wedge
The Wedge
Location of The Wedge in Alaska
CountryUnited States
StateAlaska
BoroughAnchorage Municipality
Protected areaChugach State Park
Parent rangeChugach Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Anchorage A-7
Climbing
Easiest routeScrambling class 3[2]

The Wedge is a 4,660-foot (1,420 m) mountain summit in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Description[edit]

The Wedge is located 13 miles (21 km) southeast of Anchorage in the Chugach Mountains and Chugach State Park. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into Campbell Creek and east into headwaters of Ship Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 2,000 feet (550 m) above South Fork Campbell Creek in one mile (1.6 km) and 2,000 feet (550 m) above Ship Lake in 0.75 mi (1.21 km). Access to the mountain is via the Powerline Trail.[4] The Wedge is a popular destination during the months of May through September.[5] The mountain's descriptive toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Geological Survey.[3]

Camping on the summit of The Wedge. Avalanche Mountain in background.

Climate[edit]

Based on the Köppen climate classification, The Wedge is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[6] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rain and snow. Winter temperatures can drop below 10 °F with wind chill factors below 0 °F.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Wedge, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  2. ^ a b c d "Wedge, The - 4,660' AK". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  3. ^ a b "The Wedge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  4. ^ Explorer's Guides: 50 Hikes Around Anchorage, Lisa Maloney, The Countryman Press, 2010, p. 99.
  5. ^ Shawn Lyons, Walk About Guide To Alaska: The Front Range and the Anchorage Bowl, Publication Consultants, 2018, ISBN 9781594337543
  6. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. ISSN 1027-5606.

External links[edit]