User:Tumorris/Electric Peak

Electric Peak

Electric Peak is the tallest mountain in the Gallatin Range of southern Montana, close to the Wyoming border and rises to an altitude of 10,969 feet (3,343 m). The Gallatin Range in which Electric Peak resides, exists for 63 miles beginning in Bozeman, MT, and ending in the northwestern portion of Yellowstone National Park along the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The range of peaks lies between the Yellowstone and Gallatin Rivers.[6] The peak has some of the greatest physical relief in Yellowstone National Park, rising 3,389 ft (1,033 m) above its base. The majority of the mountain along with the Electric Peak hiking trails are contained within the Wyoming border, while the peak specifically exists inside of the Montana border.[5]

Electric Peak was named during the first ascent in July of 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Members of the Hayden Survey led by Henry Gannett, Ferdinand Hayden, Albert Peale, and T.B. Brown.[8] The trio who began the summit climb including Gannett, Hayden, and Peale, experienced electrical discharges from their hands and hair after a lightning event that began about 500 feet from the summit.[8] The narrative of their ascent as documented by the men explains as they neared the summit, the atmosphere began to change as they were surrounded by what can only be described as a lightning cloud.[8]

Geology of Electric Peak and the Gallatin Range:

The majority of the peak is known to consist of cretaceous shales and sandstones. The lower part of Electric Peak is mainly composed of black shale with small parts of it being sandstone. While the upper portion of Electric Peak is comprised of a reverse combination of the same rocks, meaning that it is mostly sandstone with smaller parts of it being shale. The Gallatin mountain range where Electric Peak lies, is made up of mostly metasupracustal rock that was formed during the Archean Period.[11] The Gallatin Range was formed around 45 million years ago when volcanic activity in the region was fierce. The result of such activity created mudflows and volcanic rock that developed the peaks we know today as the Gallatin Range.[12]

Activities to do at Electric Peak:

During the summer months of the year, there is a trail that can be accessed via the Yellowstone backcountry. The trail consists of a total of 18.3 miles, 4120 feet of elevation gain, and takes the average hiker around 9 hours to complete. The trail has light foot traffic and can be used for various outdoor activities such as backpacking, camping, and hiking. During snowy winter months, travelers should be aware of road closures and access to the area for hiking can be limited to summer months.[9] There are also activities that can be done on Electric Peak during the winter months which is the majority of the year at this elevation in Montana. Backcountry skiing and mountaineering are two activities that are attractive during the winter. Exploring Electric Peak on skis can be accomplished via the Beattie Gulch route, which follows a 9.3-mile ascent that accounts for a 5,089' elevation increase. This is considered an intermediate backcountry ski route.[10]

Gallery

Electric Peak in relation to surrounding mountains.