Johnson Peak (Tuolumne Meadows)
Johnson Peak is made of eroded granite. At 85 Ma, the Johnson Granite Porphyry is the youngest granite rock in the Yosemite National Park, though the entire peak formed beneath the Earth's crust. It broached the surface much later, via subduction.
Despite it being a fairly easy hike, Johnson Peak climbed less frequently than its many neighbors. Yet from summit, there are lovely views of those same stunning mountains, particularly Unicorn Peak, Cockscomb Peak, Echo Peaks and Matthes Crest. To the north and east, you can also see Mount Conness, Mount Dana and Mammoth Peak, and to the southeast you can see Mount Maclure and Mount Lyell.
The name, and the mountain range
R.B. Marshall named Johnson Peak, in the 1890s, to honor a teamster and guide in his survey party, with Professor Davidson. They also climbed Mount Conness.
Johnson Peak is part of the Cathedral Range.
Geology, and the area
Johnson granite porphyry, whose name derives from Johnson Peak, is found there. Far above what is now Johnson Peak, it is possible that a volcanic caldera once may have existed.
Johnson Peak is quite near Elizabeth Lake.
Climate
| Climate data for Johnson Peak (CA) 37.8346 N, 119.3500 W, Elevation: 10,679 ft (3,255 m) (1991–2020 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 33.8 (1.0) |
33.2 (0.7) |
36.3 (2.4) |
39.7 (4.3) |
46.9 (8.3) |
56.5 (13.6) |
64.3 (17.9) |
63.7 (17.6) |
58.1 (14.5) |
49.3 (9.6) |
39.8 (4.3) |
33.2 (0.7) |
46.2 (7.9) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 23.4 (−4.8) |
22.1 (−5.5) |
24.6 (−4.1) |
27.7 (−2.4) |
34.9 (1.6) |
43.7 (6.5) |
51.2 (10.7) |
50.5 (10.3) |
45.2 (7.3) |
37.4 (3.0) |
29.2 (−1.6) |
23.2 (−4.9) |
34.4 (1.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 13.0 (−10.6) |
11.0 (−11.7) |
13.0 (−10.6) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
22.8 (−5.1) |
31.0 (−0.6) |
38.2 (3.4) |
37.3 (2.9) |
32.3 (0.2) |
25.5 (−3.6) |
18.6 (−7.4) |
13.1 (−10.5) |
22.6 (−5.2) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 9.36 (238) |
8.30 (211) |
7.41 (188) |
4.13 (105) |
2.49 (63) |
0.62 (16) |
0.58 (15) |
0.40 (10) |
0.52 (13) |
2.68 (68) |
4.13 (105) |
8.40 (213) |
49.02 (1,245) |
| Source: PRISM Climate Group | |||||||||||||
See also
- Cathedral Lakes, which are directly below Cathedral Peak
- Cathedral Peak
- Elizabeth Lake
- Mount Dana, the second highest mountain in Yosemite
- Mount Lyell, the highest mountain in Yosemite National Park
References
- ^ "Johnson Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-02-05.
- ^ Glazner, Allen F, Stock, Greg M. (2010). Geology Underfoot in Yosemite. Mountain Press, p. 53. ISBN 978-0-87842-568-6.
- ^ "Johnson Peak (Yosemite)". summitpost.org/. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ^ "Johnson Peak, California". peakbagger.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ Calkins, Frank C. "The Granitic Rocks of the Yosemite Region". NPS. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ Huber, N. King (1987). "The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park". yosemite.ca.us. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ Hayes, Garry. "A Virtual Field Trip along the Tuolumne Meadows Highway in Yosemite National Park".
- ^ "Elizabeth Lake and Johnson Peak". yosemitehikes.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
- ^ "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.