Higher Spire
{{short description|Mountain in Alaska, United States}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Higher Spire
| photo = Higher Spire, Alaska.jpg
| photo_caption = Southeast aspect, from Reed Lakes
| elevation_ft = 6135
| elevation_ref ={{cite peakbagger|pid=37629|name=Higher Spire, Alaska|access-date=2024-11-25}}{{cite web|url=https://peakery.com/higher-spire-alaska/|title=Higher Spire, Peakery.com|access-date=2024-11-25}}
| prominence_ft = 935
| isolation_mi = 1.89
| parent_peak = Lynx Peak (6,536 ft){{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/148918|title=6135 - 6,135' AK|website=listsofjohn.com|access-date=2024-11-25}}
| etymology =
| country = United States
| state = Alaska
| region = Matanuska-Susitna
| region_type = Borough
| map = USA Alaska
| map_caption = Location in Alaska
| label_position = left
| part_type = Protected area
| part = Hatcher Pass Management Area
| range = Talkeetna Mountains
| coordinates = {{coord|61.850055|N|149.180946|W|type:mountain_region:US-AK_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| topo = USGS Anchorage D-6
| rock =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route =
}}
Higher Spire is a {{convert|6135|ft|meter|adj=mid|-elevation|abbr=off|sp=us}} summit in Alaska, United States.
Description
Higher Spire is located {{convert|20.|mi|km}} north of Palmer, Alaska, in the Talkeetna Mountains and in the Hatcher Pass Management Area of the state park system. Precipitation runoff from this peak drains south to the Little Susitna River via Reed Creek, whereas the north side drains to Bartholf Creek which is a tributary of the Kashwitna River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises {{convert|2300.|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} above Lower Reed Lake in {{convert|0.75|mi|km}}. The nearest higher neighbor is Lynx Peak {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} to the east. The Snowbird Hut on the northern edge of the Snowbird Glacier provides shelter and access for climbing Higher Spire and Lower Spire.[https://americanalpineclub.org/snowbird-hut/ Snowbird Hut], American Alpine Club, Retrieved 2024-11-25. This peak's toponym has been featured in publications since at least 1969,[https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60ac7fe0579d193db1877bd8/t/61e5a5997272d43b01a549d7/1642440100861/SCREE_08-1969.pdf Scree], Nick Parker, Mountaineering Club of Alaska, August 1969, p. 4. but it has not been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Lower Spire
Lower Spire is set {{convert|0.38|mi|km}} southwest of Higher Spire. It reaches an elevation of {{convert|6129|ft|meter|adj=mid|abbr=on|sp=us}} and has a topographical prominence of {{convert|229|ft|m}}.{{cite peakbagger|pid=37628|name=Lower Spire, Alaska|access-date=2024-11-25}} It is also set above the Snowbird Glacier.
Climate
Based on the Köppen climate classification, Higher Spire is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and short cool summers.{{cite journal | author = Peel, M. C. |author2=Finlayson, B. L. |author3=McMahon, T. A. | year = 2007 | title = Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification | journal = Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. | volume = 11 | issn = 1027-5606}} Winter temperatures can drop below 0 °F with wind chill factors below −10 °F. This climate supports the Snowbird Glacier on the west slope of the peak. The months of May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing.[https://www.alpineinstitute.com/articles/faqs/denali-faq/#:~:text=1.-,What%20do%20you%20recommend%20as%20the%20best%20month%20to%20climb,combination%20of%20weather%20and%20conditions. Denali FAQ, American Alpine Institute], alpineinstitute.com, Retrieved 2024-01-08.
See also
Gallery
File:Nordic skating on Upper Reed Lake.jpg|East aspect of Higher Spire centered above Upper Reed Lake
File:Higher Spire.jpg|North aspect
File:Snowbird Glacier Hut and spires.jpg|Snowbird Hut with Higher Spire (upper left) and Lower Spire (center, top)
File:Backcountry skiing in the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska.jpg|Southeast aspect of Lower Spire
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- Hatcher Pass Management Area: [https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/brochures/hatcherpassbrochure.pdf dnr.alaska.gov]
{{Geographic Location 2
| Center = Higher Spire
| North = Bartholf Creek
| Northeast = Bomber Glacier
| East = Lynx Peak
| Southeast = Reed Lakes
| South = Reed Creek
| Southwest = Lower Spire
| West = Snowbird Glacier
| Northwest = Morning Glory Peak
}}
{{Portal bar|Mountains|Geography|Geology|Alaska}}