Unicorn Peak is a peak, in
Tuolumne Meadows Tuolumne Meadows () is a gentle, granitic dome, dome-studded, sub-alpine meadow area along the Tuolumne River in the eastern section of Yosemite National Park in the United States. Its approximate location is . Its approximate elevation is . The ter ...
,
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 ...
. Unicorn Peak is due east of
Cathedral Peak, and the north
summit
A summit is a point on a surface that is higher in elevation than all points immediately adjacent to it. The topography, topographic terms acme, apex, peak (mountain peak), and zenith are synonymous.
The term (mountain top) is generally used ...
is highest.
Unicorn Peak is 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 ...
.
All three of Unicorn Peak,
Cockscomb Peak, and
Cathedral Peak qualify as ''
nunataks
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. ...
'', islands that stood above the ice, when the
last ice age created glaciers in the area.
During the
Tioga glaciation the peak projected above the
glaciers
A glacier (; ) is a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight. A glacier forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. It acquires distinguishing features, such as ...
, which carved and sharpened the peak's bases while plucking away at its sides.
On the area of Unicorn Peak
All of the following are at least close to Unicorn Peak:
*
Budd Lake
*
Cathedral Peak
*
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 ...
*
Echo Peaks
*
Elizabeth Lake
*
Johnson Peak
Hiking and rock climbing
Many hike, at least the base of Unicorn Peak, and to nearby sites.
To the summit, the easiest route is to
rock climb
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
a ,
though other routes are available.
References
{{reflist
External links and references
One link on rock climbing Unicorn Peak, normal routeUnicorn Peak, rock climbingTrails, Tuolumne: Elizabeth Lake & Unicorn PeakA YouTube, on Unicorn PeakA YouTube, 2 Days in Yosemite High Country: Unicorn Peak, Fly Fishing & North DomeA YouTube, Climbing the Unicorn PeakAn Ansel Adams photo of Unicorn PeakA topographic map of the region
Mountains of Yosemite National Park
Mountains of Northern California