Location and surroundings
Mount Krause belongs to the chain North American Cordillera > Pacific Coast Ranges > Saint Elias Mountains > Alsek Ranges > Takhinsha Mountains. It is in Haines Borough, Alaska, in the United States. At 2,134 m, it is the highest of the 30 named peaks in the Takhinsha Mountains.
The mountain rises in a high, rugged part of southeastern Alaska where ridges, snowfields and steep slopes dominate the landscape. Nearby summits show how compact the range is, with several peaks above 1,700 m within short distances. The setting is remote and alpine, with little lowland relief close to the crest.
Neighbouring peaks
Mount Krause sits among a cluster of nearby peaks and passes in the Takhinsha Mountains. The closest named neighbours are:
- Nunatak Knob — 2,064 m, 2.2 km SW
- Sitth-gha-ee Peak — 1,780 m, 9.1 km S
- Mount Emmerich — 2,073 m, 11.2 km E
- Chunekukleik Mountain — 1,759 m, 12.5 km N
- Coleman Peak — 1,716 m, 13.3 km S
- Black Mountain — 1,779 m, 14.8 km SW
- Mount Jonathan Ward — 1,416 m, 15.8 km N
- Tukgahgo Mountain — 1,425 m, 19.8 km NE
Among these, Nunatak Knob is the nearest and only slightly lower, while Mount Emmerich is also close in height. The others drop away more clearly, showing that Mount Krause is one of the main high points in this part of the range.
The view from the summit
From the summit, the highest peaks within 25 km give a good sense of the surrounding alpine skyline. The main high points are Mount Rice to the southeast at 2,017 m and 21.4 km, Mount Kashagnak to the northeast at 1,728 m and 24.4 km, and Mount Brock to the west at 1,508 m and 22.4 km.
Other visible high ground includes Mount Elder to the south, Cathedral Peak to the northeast and Snow Dome to the south. These peaks suggest a broad, broken horizon of ridges and ice-carved terrain rather than a single isolated summit.
The range
Mount Krause is the highest mountain in the Takhinsha Mountains, which span Canada and the United States. The range’s high point is the Takhinsha Mountains itself, and Mount Krause is the highest of its 30 named peaks.
That ranking makes it the key summit of the range, even though it is not the highest mountain in Alaska or the wider Saint Elias system. Its position on the border-spanning range places it in a transboundary alpine chain with many similar peaks and passes.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER climate data for 2001–2020 show a very cold summit environment. The warmest month at the summit is July, at about 0 °C, and the coldest is January, at about -12 °C. No month has a mean temperature above freezing at the summit.
Precipitation in the surrounding area is about 3,350 mm a year. The wettest month is October, at about 410 mm, and the driest is June, at about 145 mm. Expect snow, rain, wind, poor visibility and rapid changes in weather, especially on exposed ridges and in unsettled coastal mountain conditions.
Best time to visit
Because the summit stays below freezing in every month, the most workable period is usually the milder part of the year, when temperatures are least severe and daylight is longer. Even then, snow and cold conditions remain part of the climb, and the mountain can hold winter-like weather well into the season.
The relatively drier period around June may offer better conditions than the wetter autumn months, while October is the wettest month in the surrounding area. For this elevation, visitors should plan for snow travel, cold wind and the possibility of fresh snowfall at any time.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain lies in a cold alpine setting with bare rock, snowfields and likely patches of tundra and sparse subalpine vegetation at lower elevations. In this part of Alaska, the landscape is shaped by glaciers, steep drainage lines and short growing seasons, so plant life becomes thin quickly with height.
Wildlife in the broader region can include mountain birds and large northern mammals that use valleys and lower slopes, but the summit zone is mainly a place of rock, snow and wind. Travel here is more about terrain and weather than about marked trails or developed facilities.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Mount Krause, a certified guide is sensible if you are not already experienced with remote alpine travel, snow slopes and changing weather. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member, and the national alpine club is the American Alpine Club.
Established guiding companies in the country include RMI Expeditions in Ashford, Washington, and Exum Mountain Guides in Moose, Wyoming. Guided trips in Alaska typically depend on the length of the approach, group size, equipment needs and whether extra days are needed for weather. Some peaks in the United States require climbing registration or permits from the land agency, so local rules should be checked before any attempt.
Safety and preparation
Mount Krause demands full alpine preparation: cold-weather clothing, navigation skills, glacier or snow travel experience if conditions require it, and the ability to turn back in poor visibility. The summit climate stays below freezing all year, so even summer attempts can involve snow, ice and wind exposure.
For emergencies in the United States, call 911. Dispatchers alert the local search and rescue team, usually run by the county sheriff or a national park authority. Because the area is remote, self-reliance, route planning and conservative timing are important.
Interesting facts
Mount Krause is the highest of the 30 named peaks in the Takhinsha Mountains. Its nearest higher or similar high neighbours include Mount Emmerich at 2,073 m and Nunatak Knob at 2,064 m, both close enough to show how crowded the upper elevations are in this part of Alaska.
The mountain also sits in a border-spanning range that reaches both Canada and the United States. That makes it part of a larger transboundary alpine system rather than a single-country massif.
FAQ
How high is Mount Krause? It rises to 2,134 m.
Where is Mount Krause? It is in Haines Borough, Alaska, in the United States, within the Takhinsha Mountains.
What range is Mount Krause part of? It belongs to the chain North American Cordillera > Pacific Coast Ranges > Saint Elias Mountains > Alsek Ranges > Takhinsha Mountains.
Is Mount Krause the highest mountain in its range? Yes. It is the highest of the 30 named peaks in the Takhinsha Mountains.
What are the nearest peaks to Mount Krause? The closest named peak is Nunatak Knob, 2.2 km to the southwest at 2,064 m. Other nearby peaks include Mount Emmerich, Sitth-gha-ee Peak and Chunekukleik Mountain.
Is there water on the way to Mount Krause? In this cold alpine terrain, water is usually from snowmelt or streams fed by snow and ice, and it should be treated before drinking. Carry enough for the day, usually about 1.5-3 litres depending on heat, effort and route length.
Does mobile phone coverage work there? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.