Grand Sentinel

Grand Sentinel is an 8,518-foot-elevation (2,596-meter) pillar located west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Kings Canyon National Park, in Fresno County of northern California.[3] This landmark is situated at the northern end of the Great Western Divide, two miles west-northwest of The Sphinx, and immediately south of Kanawyers and Zumwalt Meadow. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises nearly 3,500 feet (1,100 meters) above the canyon floor in one-half mile. This feature's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[3]

Grand Sentinel
Highest point
Elevation8,518 ft (2,596 m)[1]
Prominence99 ft (30 m)[1]
Parent peakPalmer Mountain (11,254 ft)[2]
Isolation2.04 mi (3.28 km)[2]
Coordinates36°47′01″N 118°35′03″W[3]
Geography
Grand Sentinel is located in California
Grand Sentinel
Grand Sentinel
Location in California
Grand Sentinel is located in the United States
Grand Sentinel
Grand Sentinel
Grand Sentinel (the United States)
LocationKings Canyon National Park
Fresno County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Great Western Divide[1]
Topo mapUSGS The Sphinx
Geology
Type of rockgranitic

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Grand Sentinel is located in an alpine climate zone.[4] 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 the peak drains into the South Fork Kings River.

See also

Grand Sentinel by Ansel Adams, circa 1936

References

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