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Face Mountain

Face Mountain

Face Mountain is a summit in Alaska, United States, standing at 5,052 feet (1,540 meters). It's nestled within the Boundary Ranges, a formidable part of the larger Coast Mountains. The peak is strategically located approximately 4.2 miles (7 kilometers) northwest of Skagway and a mere 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) north of Mount Harding. What makes Face Mountain noteworthy, despite its not-so-imposing elevation, is its dramatic rise from the tidewater of Taiya Inlet. Within a scant 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), the mountain gains a substantial amount of relief.

The mountain’s history with nomenclature is, shall we say, complex. Back in 1897, the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey christened it "Parsons Peak." Locals, however, had their own ideas, referring to it by the more evocative names "Gnome Mountain" and "The Sphinx," likely due to a perceived resemblance of a human face in its rock formations. The current designation, "Face Mountain," along with its officially recognized summit location, was ratified by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 1985. However, for those who prefer the established order, USGS maps still stubbornly display the older name, Parsons Peak, for the summit. Any runoff from this geological entity eventually finds its way into the tributaries feeding Taiya Inlet.

Geography

Face Mountain is a summit located within the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains in the U.S. state of Alaska. Its elevation reaches 5,052 feet (1,540 meters). The peak’s position is notable, situated 4.2 miles (7 kilometers) west-northwest of Skagway and 4.3 miles (7 kilometers) north of Mount Harding. Despite its moderate height, the mountain exhibits significant topographic relief due to its rapid ascent from the tidewater of Taiya Inlet over a distance of less than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers).

Historically, the peak was named "Parsons Peak" in 1897 by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey. Locally, it was also known by the names "Gnome Mountain" and "The Sphinx," apparently inspired by a facial feature observed in the rock. The mountain's current name, "Face Mountain," and its summit’s official location were adopted in 1985 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Nevertheless, USGS maps continue to label the summit as Parsons Peak. The precipitation runoff from the mountain flows into tributaries that drain into Taiya Inlet.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Face Mountain experiences a subarctic climate. This translates to winters that are decidedly cold and blanketed with snow, while summers are cool, offering little respite from the chill. The proximity to the Gulf of Alaska means that weather systems, upon encountering the imposing Coast Mountains, are forced upward. This phenomenon, known as orographic lift, results in substantial precipitation, manifesting as both rain and snow. During the winter months, temperatures can plummet below −20 °C, and with wind chill factors, it can feel as frigid as −30 °C. This harsh climate supports a glacier located just north of the summit. For those contemplating a visit, whether for observation or conquest, the months of May through July generally offer the most agreeable weather conditions for Face Mountain.

Gallery

  • Face Mountain with the distinctive "face" formation visible on the right side. This was the area formerly designated as Parsons Peak.

See also