Chugach Mountains

Chugach Mountains
View of the Chugach Mountains from the Glenn Highway north of Anchorage
Highest point
Peak	Mount Marcus Baker
Elevation	13,094 ft (3,991 m)
Coordinates	61°26′14″N 147°45′10″W / 61.43722°N 147.75278°W / 61.43722; -147.75278
Dimensions
Length	300 mi (480 km) E-W
Geography
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Range coordinates	61°10′N 145°20′W / 61.17°N 145.33°W / 61.17; -145.33Coordinates: 61°10′N 145°20′W / 61.17°N 145.33°W / 61.17; -145.33
Parent range	Pacific Coast Ranges

The Chugach Mountains of southern Alaska are the northernmost of the several mountain ranges that make up the Pacific Coast Ranges of the western edge of North America. The range is about 250 miles (402 km) long and 60 miles (97 km) wide, and extends from the Knik and Turnagain Arms of the Cook Inlet on the west to Bering Glacier, Tana Glacier, and the Tana River on the east. It is bounded on the north by the Matanuska, Copper, and Chitina rivers. The highest point of the Chugach Mountains is Mount Marcus Baker, at 13,094 feet (3,991 m), but with an average elevation of 4,006 feet (1,221 m), most of its summits are not especially high. Even so its position along the Gulf of Alaska ensures more snowfall in the Chugach than anywhere else in the world; an annual average of over 1500 cm (600 in).

The mountains are protected in the Chugach State Park and the Chugach National Forest. Near to Anchorage, they are a popular destination for outdoor activities. Weather permitting, the World Extreme Skiing Championship is held annually in the Chugach Mountains near Valdez.

The Richardson Highway, Seward Highway, Portage Glacier Highway, and the Glenn Highway run through the Chugach Mountains. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel of the Portage Glacier Highway provides railroad and automobile access underneath Maynard Mountain between Portage Lake and the city of Whittier on Prince William Sound.