Telaquana Mountain

Telaquana Mountain is an mountain summit in Alaska.

Description

Telaquana Mountain is located west-southwest of Anchorage in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. The remote glaciated mountain ranks as the third-highest peak in the Neacola Mountains which are the northernmost subrange of the Aleutian Range. Precipitation runoff and glacial meltwater from the mountain's north slope drains into Trail Creek, which is a tributary of the Telaquana River, whereas the south slope drains to the Mulchatna River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises above an unnamed glacier in the north cirque in one-half mile. The mountain's name is associated with nearby Lake Telaquana which in the Denaʼina language means "the salmon go up that lake." The name was applied in 1928 by the U.S. Geological Survey and the toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. The mountain holds special significance for the Denaʼina people who call the mountain Nduk'eyux Dghil'u which means "Animal goes in mountain." In their legend, all the animals on earth were released from the inside of Telaquana Mountain, such that the mountain is why wild game exists.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Telaquana Mountain is located in a tundra climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and cool summers. Weather systems coming off the North Pacific are forced upwards by the mountains, causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Winter temperatures can drop below 0 °F with wind chill factors below −10 °F. This climate supports four unnamed glaciers surrounding the peak.