thumb|Alpine lakes in the Chugach Mountains

thumb|A peak in the Chugach Mountains

The Chugach Mountains of southern Alaska are the northernmost of the several mountain ranges that make up the Pacific Coast Ranges of the western edge of North America. The range is about long and wide, and extends from the Knik and Turnagain Arms of the Cook Inlet on the west to Bering Glacier, Tana Glacier, and the Tana River on the east. It is bounded on the north by the Matanuska, Copper, and Chitina rivers. The highest point of the Chugach Mountains is Mount Marcus Baker, at , but with an average elevation of , most of its summits are not especially high. Even so, its position along the Gulf of Alaska ensures more snowfall in the Chugach than anywhere else in the world, an annual average of over 1500 cm (800 in).

The mountains are protected in the Chugach State Park and the Chugach National Forest. Near to Anchorage, they are a popular destination for outdoor activities.

The Richardson Highway, Seward Highway, Portage Glacier Highway, and the Glenn Highway run through the Chugach Mountains. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel of the Portage Glacier Highway provides railroad and automobile access underneath Maynard Mountain between Portage Lake and the city of Whittier on Prince William Sound.

On Mount Gordon Lyon, at about the level, is a five-pointed star using around 350 light globes. This faces Anchorage to be visible from the city at night. It is illuminated to commemorate Christmas, being lit from Thanksgiving until Christmas Day; and, on 9/11. Maintenance is undertaken by the US Air Force’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, although it was established in around 1960 and formerly maintained by the US Army having been near the former Army (Nike missile Site Summit) in the mountains.

History

The name "Chugach" comes from Chugach Sugpiaq , Alaska Natives inhabiting the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound on the south coast of Alaska. The Chugach people are an Alutiiq (Pacific Eskimo) people who speak the Chugach dialect of the Alutiiq language. In 1898 United States Army captain William R. Abercrombie spelled the name "Chugatch" and applied it to the mountains.

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| Mount Thor

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| Mount Valhalla

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| Mount Witherspoon

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| Mount Einstein

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| Mount Tom White

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| Icing Peak

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| Mount Grace

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| Mount Goode

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| Mount Steller

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| Mount Gannett

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| Mount Gilbert

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Other important peaks in the Chugach Mountains include:

  • Mount Michelson
  • Bashful Peak
  • Mount Billy Mitchell
  • Mount Palmer
  • Eagle Peak
  • Polar Bear Peak
  • Mount Williwaw
  • The Ramp
  • North Yuyanq’ Ch’ex
  • Ptarmigan Peak
  • Byron Peak
  • Flattop Mountain
  • Bold Peak

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File:Bold Peak.JPG|Bold Peak

File:North Suicide Peak. Chugach Mountains, Alaska..jpg|North Yuyanq’ Ch’ex

File:Peters Creek backtounry below Mount Rumble.JPG|Peters Creek backcountry, below Mount Rumble

File:Mount Eklutna.jpg|Mount Eklutna

File:Bashful Peak.jpg|Bashful Peak, the tallest mountain in western Chugach State Park

File:ChugachMountainStream.jpg|Small stream in the Chugach Mountains

File:Bold Peak. Chugach Mountains, Alaska.jpg|Bold Peak

File:First view of Twin Peaks near Eklutna Lake (3200967294).jpg|Twin Peaks

File:Mt. Rumble from the summit of Peak 5505. Chugach Mountains, Alaska - panoramio.jpg|Mount Rumble

File:Goat Mountain. Chugach State Park, Alaska.jpg|Goat Mountain

</gallery>

See also

  • Matanuska Formation

References