Mount_Benson_(Alaska) References

Mount Benson
Mount Benson
	Mount Benson, south aspect
Highest point
Elevation	4,465 ft (1,361 m)
Prominence	1,643 ft (501 m)
Parent peak	Phoenix Peak
Coordinates	60°08′37″N 149°29′39″W / 60.14361°N 149.49417°W
Geography
	Mount Benson Location of Mount Benson in Alaska
Location	Chugach National Forest; Kenai Peninsula Borough; Alaska, United States
Parent range	Kenai Mountains
Topo map	USGS Seward A-7

Mount Benson is a 4,465-foot (1,361 m) mountain summit located in the Kenai Mountains, on the Kenai Peninsula, in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Chugach National Forest, rising above the Resurrection River and Resurrection Bay, 3.3 mi (5 km) south of Resurrection Peaks, 2.35 mi (4 km) north of Marathon Mountain, and 3.1 mi (5 km) northwest of Seward, Alaska. Originally named Iron Mountain, the mountain's name was officially changed in 1974 by the United States Geological Survey to honor Benny Benson (1913-1972), who at age 13 designed Alaska's flag in 1927, as a student in Seward.^[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Benson is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.^[4] Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports a spruce and hemlock forest on the lower slopes. The months May and June offer the most favorable weather for viewing.