McDonald Peak
McDonald Peak, highest in the Mission Mountains
Highest point
Elevation9,824 ft (2,994 m)[1]
Prominence5,640 ft (1,720 m)[1]
Listing
Coordinates47°22′58″N 113°55′09″W / 47.38278°N 113.91917°W / 47.38278; -113.91917[2]
Geography
McDonald Peak is located in Montana
McDonald Peak
McDonald Peak
Location in Montana
McDonald Peak is located in the United States
McDonald Peak
McDonald Peak
Location in the United States
LocationLake County, Montana, U.S.
Parent rangeMission Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Mount Calowahcan, MT

McDonald Peak, elevation 9,820 feet (2,993 m), is located in the U.S. state of Montana and is the highest peak in the Mission Mountains.[1][3] McDonald Peak is situated within the Flathead Indian Reservation. The peak has the second greatest topographic prominence (after Crazy Peak) of all summits within Montana and is almost 80 miles (130 km) away from the next highest mountain in the state.[1][4] McDonald Glacier is on the north slope of the peak.

During the summer the summit and surrounding area are inhabited by grizzly bears for the purpose of feeding on insects. Consequently, in the interests of conservation and safety, the area is closed to hikers between July 15 and September 30.[5]

Climate

Climate data for McDonald Peak 47.3863 N, 113.9171 W, Elevation: 9,160 ft (2,792 m) (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 22.9
(−5.1) 		22.6
(−5.2) 		26.6
(−3.0) 		32.2
(0.1) 		41.4
(5.2) 		49.1
(9.5) 		60.3
(15.7) 		60.5
(15.8) 		51.7
(10.9) 		38.0
(3.3) 		26.7
(−2.9) 		21.6
(−5.8) 		37.8
(3.2)
Daily mean °F (°C) 16.0
(−8.9) 		14.4
(−9.8) 		17.5
(−8.1) 		22.4
(−5.3) 		31.0
(−0.6) 		38.2
(3.4) 		48.0
(8.9) 		48.1
(8.9) 		40.0
(4.4) 		28.8
(−1.8) 		20.1
(−6.6) 		15.2
(−9.3) 		28.3
(−2.1)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 9.2
(−12.7) 		6.3
(−14.3) 		8.3
(−13.2) 		12.6
(−10.8) 		20.5
(−6.4) 		27.2
(−2.7) 		35.8
(2.1) 		35.7
(2.1) 		28.3
(−2.1) 		19.7
(−6.8) 		13.5
(−10.3) 		8.7
(−12.9) 		18.8
(−7.3)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 8.94
(227) 		7.05
(179) 		7.73
(196) 		6.69
(170) 		6.18
(157) 		6.01
(153) 		1.83
(46) 		1.88
(48) 		3.43
(87) 		5.42
(138) 		7.88
(200) 		8.46
(215) 		71.5
(1,816)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[6]

See also

West aspect of McDonald Peak, left of center

References

  1. ^ a b c d "McDonald Peak, Montana". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "McDonald Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Mount Calowahcan, MT (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  4. ^ "Montana Peaks with 2000 feet of Prominence". Peakbagger. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "McDonald Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost".
  6. ^ "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved October 4, 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.
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