| Mount McDuffie | |
|---|---|
 Northeast aspect | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,291 ft (4,051 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 682 ft (208 m)[2] |
| Parent peak | Black Giant (13,330 ft)[3] |
| Isolation | 1.99 mi (3.20 km)[3] |
| Listing | Sierra Peaks Section |
| Coordinates | 37°04′25″N118°38′38″W / 37.0735254°N 118.6439192°W /37.0735254; -118.6439192[1] |
| Geography | |
  Mount McDuffie Location in California Show map of California Mount McDuffie Mount McDuffie (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Kings Canyon National Park Fresno County California, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada Black Divide[2] |
| Topo map | USGSMount Goddard |
| Geology | |
| Rock type | metamorphic rock |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | July 23, 1951 |
| Easiest route | class 2[3] |
Mount McDuffie is a 13,291-foot-elevation (4,051-meter) mountain summit located west of the crest of theSierra Nevada mountain range, inFresno County of centralCalifornia, United States.[1] This peak is situated in northernKings Canyon National Park, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) northwest ofThe Citadel, and two miles south ofBlack Giant, which is the nearest higher neighbor.[2] McDuffie ranks as the 93rd highest summit in California,[3] and the second-highest point on Black Divide.[2]Topographic relief is significant as it rises nearly 4,900 feet (1,500 meters) aboveLe Conte Canyon in approximately 2.5 miles. An approach to this remote peak is made possible via theJohn Muir Trail.
This mountain's name honorsDuncan McDuffie (1877–1951), to commemorate his interest in the national parks and his work as aconservationist.[1] He was also an accomplishedmountaineer in the Sierra Nevada, having made first ascents ofMount Abbot,Bear Creek Spire, andBlack Kaweah. Along withJames S. Hutchinson andJoseph Nisbet LeConte, he pioneered a high alpine route in 1908 from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon, roughly along the route of what would become theJohn Muir Trail. He served as President of theSierra Club from 1928 to 1931, and again from 1943 to 1946. The name was officially adopted in 1953 by theUnited States Board on Geographic Names.[1]
Thefirst ascent of the summit was made July 23, 1951, by Charles Bays Locker, Karl Hufbauer, and Alfred Elkin via the north ridge.[4]
Established climbing routes:[5]
Mount McDuffie is located in analpine climate zone.[6] Mostweather fronts originate in thePacific 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). Precipitationrunoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of theMiddle Fork Kings River.
