Gunsight Mountain is a prominent elevation summit located northeast of Palmer in the Talkeetna Mountains of the U.S. state of Alaska. This landmark is set midway between Palmer and Glennallen, with the Glenn Highway traversing the southern base of this mountain. This remote mountain is situated at the east end of Sheep Mountain, and northeast of Mount Wickersham, its nearest higher peak. The mountain's descriptive local name was reported in 1952 by U.S. Geological Survey, and derives from a conspicuous deep notch in the summit ridge which has the appearance of a gunsight.Dictionary of Alaska Place Names, Donald J. Orth author, United States Government Printing Office (1967), page 398 This mountain is called Siz'aani, meaning "Heart", in the Ahtna language.James Kari and James A. Fall, Shem Pete's Alaska, 2nd Ed. 2003, page 309.
Climate Based on the Köppen climate classification, Gunsight Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Matanuska River.
See also
Matanuska Formation Geography of Alaska
References
External links Weather forecast: Gunsight Mountain Climbing information: Alaska.org Climbing blog with photos