Mount Cotter, located in the

Kings Canyon National Park Kings Canyon National Park is an American national park in the southern Sierra Nevada, in Fresno and Tulare Counties, California. Originally established in 1890 as General Grant National Park, the park was greatly expanded and renamed to Kings ...

, is named for

Dick Cotter Richard D. Cotter (September 17, 1842 – March 12, 1927), also known as Dick Cotter and R.D. Cotter, was an Irish born American member of the first California Geological Survey. Biography Richard D Cotter was orphaned at a young age and emigr ...

who was a packer with the

California Geological Survey The California Geological Survey, previously known as the California Division of Mines and Geology, is the California state geologic agency. History Although it was not until 1880 that the California State Mining Bureau, predecessor to the Calif ...

in 1864. Cotter and

Clarence King Clarence Rivers King (January 6, 1842 – December 24, 1901) was an American geologist, mountaineer and author. He was the first director of the United States Geological Survey from 1879 to 1881. Nominated by Republican President Rutherford B. Hay ...

made the first ascent of

Mount Tyndall Mount Tyndall is a peak in the Mount Whitney region of the Sierra Nevada in the U.S. state of California. At , it is the tenth highest peak in the state. The mountain was named in honor of the Irish scientist and mountaineer, John Tyndall. Ge ...

. The Mountain has an elevation of . The mountain is easily climbed from Gardiner Basin with a slope. There are more difficult routes found on the north and east sides of Mount Cotter. The mountain features a large class 4-5 summit block. Mount Cotter can be reached from the west or east side of the Sierra Nevada. Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays entering from either the east or west. There is a Visitors Center in Grant Grove that can inform visitors of when the office at Road's End will be open. Camping is allowed in many places along the approach to Mt Cotter. Kearsarge Lakes, Charlotte Lake, and Rae Lakes all have a maximum 2 nights stay, and Bullfrog Lake along the Kearsarge Pass Trail is closed to camping. Bear canisters are required for overnight stays.

References

Mountains of Kings Canyon National Park Mountains of Fresno County, California Mountains of Northern California {{FresnoCountyCA-geo-stub