Little Matterhorn (Montana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Matterhorn |
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Little Matterhorn, west aspect
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Highest point | |
Elevation | 7,886 ft (2,404 m) |
Prominence | 526 ft (160 m) |
Geography | |
Location | Glacier National Park Flathead County, Montana, U.S. |
Parent range | Lewis Range |
Topo map | USGS Mount Cannon |
Type of rock | Sedimentary rock |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | West face class 4 |
Little Matterhorn is a 7,886-foot (2,404 meter) elevation mountain summit located in the Lewis Range, of Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. The nearest higher peak is Edwards Mountain, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into creeks which empty into Lake McDonald. Based on the Köppen climate classification, Little Matterhorn has an alpine climate characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. Temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −30 °F.
Geology
Like other mountains in Glacier National Park, Little Matterhorn is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods. Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was initially uplifted beginning 170 million years ago when the Lewis Overthrust fault pushed an enormous slab of precambrian rocks 3 mi (4.8 km) thick, 50 miles (80 km) wide and 160 miles (260 km) long over younger rock of the cretaceous period.