McDonald Peak
McDonald Peak rises to 2,983 m in Montana. East Saint Marys Peak stands 2,867 m to the south, 5.6 miles off. The nearest named place is West McDonald Peak, a peak 0.3 miles away.
The story
McDonald Peak, elevation 9,820 feet (2,993 m), is located in the U.S. state of Montana and is the highest peak in the Mission Mountains. McDonald Peak is situated within the Flathead Indian Reservation. The peak has the second greatest topographic prominence (after Crazy Peak) of all summits within Montana and is almost 80 miles (130 km) away from the next highest mountain in the state. McDonald Glacier is on the north slope of the peak. During the summer the summit and surrounding area are inhabited by grizzly bears for the purpose of feeding on insects. Consequently, in the interests of conservation and safety, the area is closed to hikers between July 15 and September 30.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Wikidata Q6800916, referenced by the OpenStreetMap record.
What the record says
- Elevation
- 2983 m
How to reach it
Named places within 25 miles
- West McDonald Peak: 0.3 mi
- Panoramic Peak: 1.8 mi
- Glacier Peaks: 1.9 mi
- Kakashe Mountain: 2.6 mi
- Point Saint Charles: 2.7 mi
- Mission Mountain Wilderness Historical Marker: 9.4 mi
- Taelman Park: 9.8 mi
- Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge: 10.3 mi
- Mission Valley Historical Marker: 11.0 mi
- Ronan Park: 13.0 mi
- Statue of the Sacred Heart: 9.8 mi
- Prayer Flag Mound: 15.3 mi
- The Hinayana: 15.4 mi
- Nubchen Sangye Yeshe: 15.4 mi
- Vajrakilaya Stupa: 15.4 mi
- Elizabeth Falls: 3.0 mi
- Mission Falls: 3.4 mi
- Terrace Falls: 9.6 mi
- Mud Creek Falls: 16.7 mi
- Holland Falls: 16.7 mi
- Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana: 9.2 mi
- Allard Complex: 9.6 mi
- Garden of the Rockies Museum: 13.3 mi
- Three Chiefs Culture Center: 18.8 mi
- Miracle of America Museum and Pioneer Village: 22.5 mi
- Mission Mountains Viewpoint and Picnic Area: 10.9 mi
- Mission Mountain Interpretive Overlook: 12.9 mi
- Giant Spring: 5.4 mi
- Ninepipes Picnic Pullout: 9.6 mi
- CSKT Bison Range: 15.1 mi
- Garden of One Thousand Buddhas: 15.4 mi
- Dixon Train Station (Abandoned and Demolished in 2013): 19.2 mi
- Miracle of America Museum and Pioneer Village: 22.5 mi
Other summits around it
The highest named summits within 18.8 miles of McDonald Peak. Elevation from each summit’s own record; bearing measured between the two coordinates.
| Summit | Bearing | Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Saint Marys Peak | S 176° | 2,867 m | 5.6 mi |
| West McDonald Peak | WSW 253° | 2,861 m | 0.3 mi |
| Lowary Peak | S 170° | 2,858 m | 4.9 mi |
| West Saint Marys Peak | S 181° | 2,846 m | 5.2 mi |
| Peak Y | S 172° | 2,840 m | 4.7 mi |
| Glacier Peaks | SSE 148° | 2,827 m | 1.9 mi |
| Mountaineer Peak | SSE 150° | 2,807 m | 3.5 mi |
| Buck Peak | ENE 60° | 2,744.114 m | 18.6 mi |
When to go
Light through the year
| Date | Sunrise | Golden hour | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:39 | 19:08 | 19:48 |
| June solstice | 05:40 | 20:49 | 21:37 |
| September equinox | 07:23 | 18:55 | 19:35 |
| December solstice | 08:21 | 15:56 | 16:48 |
Local time (America/Denver).
Climate normals
Months averaging 50–80 °F: May–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °F | 30 | 31 | 39 | 47 | 55 | 61 | 69 | 68 | 59 | 47 | 36 | 30 |
| Precip in | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA NCEI — Saint Ignatius, 10 mi away.
Where this comes from
Location and category confirmed against OpenStreetMap.
OpenStreetMapWikidataOpenStreetMap element node/357936869
Take the scenic way to McDonald Peak.
Byway plans around your taste, verified places, real weather and opening hours — then opens every leg in Google Maps with one tap.