Castle Peak (Alaska)


Castle Peak is a mountain summit located in the Wrangell Mountains, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, northwest of McCarthy, and south of Mount Blackburn on the south margin of the Kuskulana Glacier valley. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Kuskulana River and Lakina River which are both tributaries of the Chitina River. The peak's descriptive name was used by early prospectors as reported in 1901 by the US Geological Survey.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Castle Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and cool summers. Winds coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Wrangell Mountains, causing precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °F with wind chill factors below −30 °F. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for viewing and climbing.