{{Short description|Mountain in Alaska, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Gunsight Mountain | image = Gunsight Mountain Glenn Highway 2.jpg | image_caption = Northeast aspect from Glenn Highway | elevation_ft = 6441 | elevation_ref = <ref name=peakbagger>{{cite peakbagger|pid=18904|name=Gunsight Mountain, Alaska|accessdate=2020-03-20}}</ref> | prominence_ft = 3441 | prominence_ref= <ref name=peakbagger/> | isolation_mi = 7.39 | isolation_ref = <ref>[https://listsofjohn.com/peak/148550 ''Gunsight Mountain AK'', listsofjohn.com]</ref> | range = Talkeetna Mountains | parent_peak = | listing = | location = Matanuska-Susitna Borough<br />Alaska, United States | map = USA Alaska | map_caption = Location in Alaska | label_position = left | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 | mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Gunsight Mountain | coordinates = {{coord|61|50|39|N|147|28|02|W|type:mountain_region:US-AK_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = <ref name=peakbagger/> | topo = USGS ''Anchorage D-2'' | type = | first_ascent = | easiest_route = unmaintained trail, scramble }}
'''Gunsight Mountain''' is a prominent {{convert|6441|ft|m|0|adj=on}} elevation summit located {{convert|56|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} northeast of Palmer in the Talkeetna Mountains of the U.S. state of Alaska. This landmark is set midway between Palmer and Glennallen, with the Glenn Highway traversing the southern base of this mountain. This remote mountain is situated at the east end of Sheep Mountain, and {{convert|12.2|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} northeast of Mount Wickersham, its nearest higher peak.<ref name=peakbagger/> The mountain's descriptive local name was reported in 1952 by U.S. Geological Survey, and derives from a conspicuous deep notch in the summit ridge which has the appearance of a gunsight.<ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis|id=1403067|name=Gunsight Mountain|accessdate=2020-03-20}}</ref><ref>''Dictionary of Alaska Place Names'', Donald J. Orth author, United States Government Printing Office (1967), page 398</ref> This mountain is called ''Siz'aani'', meaning ''"Heart"'', in the Ahtna language.<ref name="gnis"/><ref>James Kari and James A. Fall, ''Shem Pete's Alaska'', 2nd Ed. 2003, page 309.</ref>
==Climate== Based on the Köppen climate classification, Gunsight Mountain is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.<ref name=KGcc2007>{{Cite Köppen-Geiger cc 2007}}</ref> Winter temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Matanuska River.
==See also== {{stack|{{portal|Alaska|Mountains}}}} *Matanuska Formation *Geography of Alaska
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * Weather forecast: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5863554/United%20States/Alaska/Matanuska-Susitna/Gunsight%20Mountain Gunsight Mountain] * Climbing information: [https://www.alaska.org/detail/gunsight-mountain Alaska.org] * [https://www.adventuresoflupe.com/?p=7747 Climbing blog with photos]
Category:Mountains of Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska Category:One-thousanders of the United States