Parent range Wind River Range Easiest route rock/ice climb First ascent 1922 Mountain range Wind River Range First ascenders F. Stahlnaker, A. Tate | Topo map USGS Gannett Peak Elevation 4,209 m Prominence 2,157 m Parent peak Longs Peak | |
 | ||
Listing North America highest peaks 75th
North America prominent peaks 74th
North America isolated peaks 38th
US highest major peaks 57th
U.S. state high points 5th Location Fremont / Sublette counties, Wyoming, U.S. Similar Wind River Range, Fremont Peak, Granite Peak, Wind River Peak, Kings Peak | ||
Gannett Peak is the highest peak in the U.S. state of Wyoming and straddles the boundary between Fremont and Sublette Counties along the Continental Divide.
Contents
Map of Gannett Peak, Wyoming 82513, USA
Overview
Geographically, Gannett Peak is the apex of the entire Central Rockies; the largely continuous group of the chain occupying the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Named in 1906 for American geographer Henry Gannett, the peak is also the highpoint of the Wind River Range. The mountain slopes are located in both Bridger-Teton National Forest and Shoshone National Forest. Gannett is the highest peak within what is better known as the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains outside of Colorado. The 896-acre (3.63 km2) Gannett Glacier, which is likely the largest single glacier in the American portion of the Rocky Mountains, flows down from the northern slopes of the mountain. Minor Glacier is situated in the western cirque of the peak while Dinwoody and Gooseneck Glaciers can be found on the southeast side of the mountain.
Gannett Peak is commonly climbed on a four- to six-day round-trip. It is considered by mountaineers to be the most difficult state high point except for Alaska's Denali and possibly Montana's Granite Peak.
In October 2010, a private plane crash in the vicinity of the mountain triggered an extensive search-and-rescue operation. The plane was located in early November, with no survivors.