Granite Peak, at an elevation of above sea level,
is the highest natural point in the
U.S. state of
Montana
Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columb ...
, and the tenth-highest state high point in the nation. It lies within the
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in
Park County, very near the borders of
Stillwater County and
Carbon County. Granite Peak is north of the
Wyoming
Wyoming () is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the southwest, and Colorado to t ...
border and southwest of
Columbus, Montana
Columbus is a town in and the county seat of Stillwater County, Montana, United States. The population was 1,857 at the 2020 census.
History
The community originated as a stagecoach station on the Yellowstone River.
The original name was Shee ...
.
Granite Peak is often considered the second most difficult state high point to climb after
Denali
Denali (; also known as Mount McKinley, its former official name) is the highest mountain peak in North America, with a summit elevation of above sea level. With a topographic prominence of and a topographic isolation of , Denali is the ...
in Alaska, due to technical climbing, poor weather, and route finding.
Granite Peak's first ascent was made by Elers Koch, James C. Whitham, and R.T. Ferguson on August 29, 1923, after several failed attempts by others. It was the last of the state high points to be climbed.
Today, climbers typically spend two or three days ascending the peak, stopping over on the
Froze-to-Death Plateau
Froze-to-Death Mountain is a prominent summit among the Beartooth Mountains. It stands in Stillwater County, Montana, United States.
Geography
Froze-to-Death Mountain rises to an elevation of at its peak. It is the highest landform in the F ...
, although some climbers choose to ascend the peak in a single day. Another route that has gained popularity in recent years is the Southwest Couloir route, a non-technical route from the south starting near
Cooke City
Cooke City is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Park County, Montana, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 75. Prior to 2010, it was part of the Cooke City-Silver Gate CDP.
The community ...
; climbers generally take two days to complete it.
See also
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*
*
List of mountains in Montana
This is a list of mountains in the state of Montana. Montana is the fourth largest state in the United States and is well known for its mountains. The name "Montana" means mountainous in Latin. Representative James Mitchell Ashley ( R- Ohio), ...
*
List of U.S. states by elevation
References
External links
*
*
* An organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Granite Peak in Montana.
Mountains of Montana
Mountains of Park County, Montana
Beartooth Mountains
Highest points of U.S. states
Custer National Forest
North American 3000 m summits
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