Electric Peak, Mountain summit in Park County, United States
Electric Peak is the highest summit of the Gallatin Range, part of the Rocky Mountains, in the northwest of Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Montana. It rises to 3,343 m, making it the 13th-highest mountain in Montana, and its summit stands about 300 m north of the Montana–Wyoming border on the 45th parallel.
Electric Peak was first climbed in 1872 by an expedition led by geographer Henry Gannett, which included the geographer and explorer Ferdinand V. Hayden. The party named the mountain after sparks flew from their fingers and hair following a thunderstorm on the summit. At 3,343 m it is the highest summit of the Gallatin Range.
The name comes from the 1872 ascent led by geographer Henry Gannett, with Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden in the party: after a thunderstorm on the summit, sparks ran from the climbers' fingers and hair. The peak, 300 m north of the 45th parallel marking the Montana–Wyoming line, is the highest point of the Gallatin Range.
The summit lies about 300 m north of the Montana–Wyoming border on the 45th parallel, in the Gallatin Range of Yellowstone's northwest corner. Approach routes are long and unmarked in places, so carry a map and compass. Afternoon storms bring lightning to the exposed ridge; start early and turn back if thunder builds.
The name comes from the 1872 first ascent led by geographer Henry Gannett, with Ferdinand V. Hayden in the party: after a thunderstorm on the summit, sparks ran from the climbers' fingers and hair. The peak lies about 300 m north of the 45th parallel, the Montana–Wyoming line.
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