Vista Peak is a mountain
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 ...
in the
U.S. state of
Alaska.
Description
Vista Peak is located northeast of
Anchorage
Anchorage () is the largest city in the U.S. state of Alaska by population. With a population of 291,247 in 2020, it contains nearly 40% of the state's population. The Anchorage metropolitan area, which includes Anchorage and the neighboring Ma ...
in the western
Chugach Mountains and within
Chugach State Park.
[ Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to Knik Arm via Peters Creek and Eagle River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 3,400 feet (1,036 m) above Peters Creek in and 4,600 feet (1,400 m) above Eagle River in . An ascent of the summit involves hiking six miles with 3,980 feet of elevation gain.Lisa Maloney, ''Day Hiking Southcentral Alaska'']
Mountaineers Books, 2019. The months of May through September offer the best time for climbing the peak. The mountain's toponym appears on USGS maps, but it has not been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Climate
Based on the
Köppen climate classification, Vista Peak is located in a
subarctic climate
The subarctic climate (also called subpolar climate, or boreal climate) is a climate with long, cold (often very cold) winters, and short, warm to cool summers. It is found on large landmasses, often away from the moderating effects of an ocean, ge ...
zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.
Weather systems coming off the
Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (
orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −20 °F.
See also
*
List of mountain peaks of Alaska
*
Geography of Alaska
Gallery
File:Vista Peak, w.jpg, West aspect seen from Elmendorf Air Force Base
File:Anchorage from Earthquake Park.jpg, Anchorage, with Vista Peak in upper left, and Mile High Peak centered at top
References
{{Portal bar, Mountains, Geography, Alaska
Mountains of Alaska
North American 1000 m summits
Mountains of Anchorage, Alaska