Herlihy Peak

Herlihy Peak is an 11,758-foot-elevation (3,584 meter) mountain summit located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County of northern California, United States.[1] It is situated approximately four miles south of the community of Mammoth Lakes, in the John Muir Wilderness, on land managed by Inyo National Forest. Herlihy Peak is positioned midway between landmarks Crystal Crag and Bloody Mountain. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises 2,060 feet (630 meters) above Valentine Lake in approximately one mile, and the west aspect rises 1,844 feet (562 meters) above Skelton Lake in 0.8 mile. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains to Mammoth Creek.

Herlihy Peak
South aspect
Highest point
Elevation11,758 ft (3,584 m)[1]
Prominence440 ft (130 m)[2]
Isolation0.71 mi (1.14 km)[2]
Coordinates37°34′40″N 118°57′36″W[1]
Naming
EtymologyRobert Herlihy [3]
Geography
Herlihy Peak is located in California
Herlihy Peak
Herlihy Peak
Location in California
Herlihy Peak is located in the United States
Herlihy Peak
Herlihy Peak
Herlihy Peak (the United States)
LocationJohn Muir Wilderness
CountryUnited States of America
StateCalifornia
CountyMono
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Bloody Mountain
Climbing
First ascent1966
Easiest routeclass 2 South ridge[1]

History

The first ascent of Herlihy Peak was made September 3, 1966, by Bob Herlihy, Andy Smatko, Bill Schuler, and Ellen Siegal.[1] R. J. Secor named the peak in memory of Bob Herlihy,[1] a Sierra Club member, who six years after making the first ascent, was killed by lightning on Mount Goode in July 1972. A memorial plaque and Bob's ashes are placed on the summit of Herlihy Peak.[4] This mountain's toponym has not been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names, so it is not labelled on USGS maps, and will remain unofficial as long as the USGS policy of not adopting new toponyms in designated wilderness areas remains in effect.

West aspect of Pyramid Peak (centered at top) with Herlihy Peak to immediate right.

Climate

Herlihy Peak is located in an alpine climate zone.[5] 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 (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.

See also

References
  1. R.J. Secor (2009), The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, Trails, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9781594857386, p. 369
  2. "Herlihy Peak - 11,758' CA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
  3. Secor, R. J. (2009). The High Sierra : peaks, passes, trails. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books. ISBN 978-0-89886-971-2. OCLC 216940409.
  4. Herlihy Peak, snwburd.com
  5. "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica.
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