Buzz focus on Pioneer Peak

This is definitely Palmer’s mountain. We live in its shadow. We see it every day. It’s our friend, our landmark, our compass and our geologic heartthrob. I believe I speak for nearly everyone;—because I have yet to find a single person who isn’t personally affected by Pioneer Peak’s (PP’s) perennial presence. And if you talk to anyone who has moved away from the Palmer area, then Pioneer Peak is indeed one of their most significant remembrances. As an artist, I paint it often. We dream about it. Writers write about it. Hikers and climbers scale it. And everybody watches “PP” because it is a significant touchstone which keeps our Palmer lives in perspective.

Geology and Geography of PP—“Pioneer Peak is a 6,398-foot (1,950 m) mountain in the Chugach Mountains in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located beside the Knik River just nine miles (14.5 km) south of Palmer and about six miles outside the Municipality of Anchorage limits, it is a prominent landmark in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, as well as a popular hiking destination. The Pioneer Peak name was given in 1939 in honor of the pioneers of the Matanuska agricultural colony of the mid-1930s.”

Geologists have found basalt and volcanic rock around Pioneer Peak. Earthquakes rattle the area and the steep terrain releases rock and slides which eventually find themselves down into the Knik River at the base of the mountain. There are discussions on the viability of volcanic roots which cause ice build up and glaciering and slothing of material layers. I am not a geologist but there are several fine scientific websites which discuss the details.

The Avalanche Chute—Palmer peeps have been recently remarking about the amazing scar which runs down Pioneer Peak’s face. It’s a really interesting discussion on the Palmer Alaska Buzz fb group. There are several different ideas about the origination of the chute, its’ history and its’ growth. Some say it was caused by an earthquake. And some say it is just a natural occurrence due to the steep grade of the mountain. And since its’ establishment, more rocks, snow and debris continue to come down the chute. According to Sciencebase, “Landslide from northwest spur of Pioneer Peak in Chugach Mountains descended nearly to Glenn Highway near Goat Creek sawmill on afternoon of March 31, 1950. Palmer area, Cook Inlet region, Alaska.”

Pioneer Peak’s Original Name—According to “Shem Pete’s Alaska,” it’s authentic name is Dnal’iy or Denal’iy in Dena’ina, and Tnel’aay in Ahtna, which translate to “The Object That Is Standing Still” or “The One That Watches Us.”

Other Names—Because there is a very personal chord between the Palmer area people and Pioneer Peak mountain, many additional and familiar names are in use. Several folks call it “The Watcher,” because they live in its shadow. Several people call it “Mom’s Mountain.” The obvious landslide is referred to as a witches’ finger, the devil’s tongue. Folks often identify other various shapes on the mountain including human and animal faces, dancers, and a maple leaf.

Significance—We, as a community, determine our seasonal status by the snow positioning on Pioneer Peak. Many of us greet our mountain in the morning and watch the moon travel over it at night. Some of us pray to the mountain as a basic element. Pioneer Peak is our big solid friend and we miss it when we can’t see it.

End of Palmer July—Enjoy the sweet peas, fresh greens, fish and haskap berries. Visit the farm markets. Revel in the music of summer. Stay Safe Palmer.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff on the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Email bhunt@mtaonline.net or text at 907.315.3222