Matthes Crest is an approximately mile-long fin of rock with two summits separated by a deep notch. It is a part of the
Cathedral Range
The Cathedral Range is a mountain range immediately to the south of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. The range is an offshoot of the Sierra Nevada. The range is named after Cathedral Peak, which resembles a cathedral spire.
Geograp ...
, which is a mountain range in the south-central portion of
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park ( ) is an American national park in California, surrounded on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers an ar ...
. The range is part of the
Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada () is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primarily ...
.
History and geology
Matthes crest is named for
François E. Matthes
François Émile Matthes ( – ) was a geologist and an expert in topographic mapping, glaciers, and climate change. He mapped remote areas of the Western United States, American West for the United States Geological Survey (USGS). His maps co ...
, a cartographer and author who described the geology in the region where Matthes Crest lies. It was originally named Echo Ridge due to its proximity to the Echo Peaks. Matthes crest arose as a
nunatak
A nunatak (from Inuit ''nunataq'') is the summit or ridge of a mountain that protrudes from an ice field or glacier that otherwise covers most of the mountain or ridge. They are also called glacial islands. Examples are natural pyramidal peaks. ...
in the glacial field which covered Tuolumne during the last
ice age
An ice age is a long period of reduction in the temperature of Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers. Earth's climate alternates between ice ages and gree ...
.
[
]
Climbing
The first known ascent of Matthes Crest was by
Jules Eichorn
Jules Marquard Eichorn (February 7, 1912 – February 15, 2000) was an American mountaineer, environmentalist, and music teacher.
Early years
Jules Marquard Eichorn was born in San Francisco on February 7, 1912, to Hilmar and Frieda Eichorn, wh ...
,
Glen Dawson, and Walter Brem on June 16, 1931.
Climbing Matthes Crest by traversing the ridge from south to north is a popular alpine
climbing
Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep topographical object that can range from the world's tallest mountains (e.g. the eight thousanders), to small boulders. Climbing is done fo ...
activity today.
See also
*
Budd Lake, a lake which is near Matthes Crest
*
Cathedral Peak, a mountain fairly near Matthes Crest
*
Cockscomb
A comb is a fleshy growth or crest on the top of the head of some gallinaceous birds, such as domestic chickens. The alternative name cockscomb (with several spelling variations) reflects the fact that combs are generally larger on cock birds t ...
, another mountain fairly near Matthes Crest
*
Elizabeth Lake, also fairly near
References
{{reflist
External links
Matthes Crest Traverse - South to North Mountain Project.
Geology of Yosemite National Park
Mountains of Yosemite National Park
Mountains of Mariposa County, California
Mountains of Tuolumne County, California
Mountains of Northern California