Cardinal Mountain
| Cardinal Mountain | |
|---|---|
South aspect from Taboose Pass | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 13,402 ft (4,085 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 568 ft (173 m) |
| Parent peak | Split Mountain - South Peak |
| Isolation | 1.14 mi (1.83 km) |
| Listing |
|
| Coordinates | 36°59′58″N 118°24′46″W / 36.9994047°N 118.4127374°W |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Cardinal (color) |
| Geography | |
| Location | |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Pinchot |
| Geology | |
| Rock type | metamorphic over granitic |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1922 |
| Easiest route | Simple scramble class 2 |
Cardinal Mountain is a 13,396-foot-elevation (4,083-meter) mountain summit located on the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in northern California. It is situated on the common border of Fresno County with Inyo County, as well as the shared boundary of John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon National Park. It is 14 miles (23 km) south-southwest of the community of Big Pine, approximately one mile north of Taboose Pass, and one mile south-southeast of Split Mountain, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Cardinal Mountain ranks as the 73rd highest summit in California. The first ascent of the summit was made August 11, 1922, by George Downing Jr. The standard approach is via the Taboose Pass Trail, and the John Muir Trail passes west of this peak, providing an approach option to the mountain. The mountain's descriptive name was given by George R. Davis, a USGS topographer, on account of the brilliant red color of the roof pendant, like the red cap of a cardinal.