title: Penguin Peak
text: # Penguin Peak
  
  Penguin Peak is a 4,331-foot (1,320 m) mountain summit located in the Chugach Mountains, in Anchorage Municipality in the U.S. state of Alaska. The peak is situated in Chugach State Park, 30 mi (48 km) southeast of downtown Anchorage, and 8 mi (13 km) east of the Alyeska Resort and Girdwood area. The peak is the dominant feature along the north shore of Turnagain Arm when traveling the Seward Highway, and the summit offers a good view of Mount Alpenglow, 6 mi (10 km) directly across Turnagain Arm to the south.
  
  ## Climate
  
  Based on the Köppen climate classification, Penguin Peak is located in a subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and mild summers. Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Penguin Creek and Turnagain Arm.
  
  