Bailey Range

Last updated
Bailey Range
Bailey Range and Mt. Olympus.jpg
Bailey Range seen from Hurricane Ridge
Highest point
Peak Mount Carrie
Elevation 6,995 ft (2,132 m) [1]
Coordinates 47°53′39″N123°38′57″W / 47.894242°N 123.649295°W / 47.894242; -123.649295 [2]
Dimensions
Length17 mi (27 km)North-South
Width12 mi (19 km)East-West
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Bailey Range (the United States)
Location Olympic National Park
Clallam / Jefferson Counties
Country United States
State Washington
Range coordinates 47°53′21″N123°38′43″W / 47.8892984°N 123.6452825°W / 47.8892984; -123.6452825 Coordinates: 47°53′21″N123°38′43″W / 47.8892984°N 123.6452825°W / 47.8892984; -123.6452825
Parent range Olympic Mountains
Geology
Age of rock Eocene

The Bailey Range is a mountain range located within Olympic National Park in Washington state. [2]

Contents

Description

The Bailey Range is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. These remote mountains are situated within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness, but can be seen from the park's Hurricane Ridge visitor center. Precipitation runoff from the range drains into the Elwha, Queets, and Hoh Rivers. The Bailey Range Traverse is an off-trail alpine trek which may require ice axe and crampons, except in late summer when snowpack has melted. [3] This 15-mile route made popular in the 1970s is considered the finest alpine route in the Olympics, and its spectacular scenery has been featured in television and motion pictures such as the 1952 Disney natural history movie, "The Olympic Elk." [4] [5]

History

William E. Bailey, 1890 William E. Bailey 1890.jpg
William E. Bailey, 1890

This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1961 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. [2] It is named for William Elder Bailey (born February 10, 1860), proprietor of the Seattle Press, the state's primary newspaper in 1889 when the paper printed a request from the governor of Washington, Elisha P. Ferry, for men to cross and explore the Olympic Mountains. [6] In response to Ferry's expressed interest in the interior of the Olympic Peninsula, the Seattle Press newspaper published a story in the fall of 1889 challenging any "hardy citizens to acquire fame by unveiling the mystery which wraps the land encircled by the snow-capped Olympic range." [7] The newspaper then sponsored the 1889-90 Seattle Press Expedition to explore the unknown interior of the Olympic Range, and on April 27, 1890, the members of the expedition named the Bailey Range, which is considered the backbone of the Olympics. [8] The expedition, led by James Halbold Christie and Charles Adams Barnes, also named Mount Christie, Mount Barnes, Mount Ferry, Mount Seattle, Mount Meany, Mount Noyes, Mount Dana, and Mount Scott.

Seattle Press Exploring Expedition, 1889 Seattle Press Exploring Expedition, Seattle, Washington, December 6, 1889 (LAROCHE 20).jpeg
Seattle Press Exploring Expedition, 1889

The Bailey Range was first traversed by Billy Everett in 1885, who at the age of 16 reached Cream Lake, and some claim he was the first to climb Mount Carrie and Mount Fitzhenry. [9]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, the Bailey Range is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [10] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Olympic Peninsula. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks, causing moisture to drop in the form of rain or snowfall (Orographic lift). As a result, the range experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, the Bailey Range supports the Carrie Glacier, Fairchild Glacier, and several glacier remnants. During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for visiting the Bailey Range. [11]

Mountains

Principal summits of the Bailey Range: [12]

NameElevationProminenceReference
Mount Carrie 6,995 ft1,675 ft [1]
Mount Fairchild 6,900 ft450 ft [13]
Ruth Peak 6,850 ft250 ft [14]
Stephen Peak 6,418 ft638 ft [15]
Mount Pulitzer 6,283 ft923 ft [16]
Mount Dana 6,213 ft1,529 ft [17]
Mount Ferry 6,195 ft395 ft [18]
Mount Childs 6,193 ft513 ft [19]
Mount Fitzhenry 6,050 ft450 ft [20]
Mount Barnes 5,987 ft387 ft [21]
Mount Wilder 5,939 ft939 ft [22]
Mount Scott 5,913 ft1,153 ft [23]
Cat Peak 5,900 ft750 ft [24]
Ludden Peak 5,854 ft674 ft [25]
Dodger Point 5,760 ft780 ft [26]

Geology

The Olympic Mountains are composed of obducted clastic wedge material and oceanic crust, primarily Eocene sandstone, turbidite, and basaltic oceanic crust. [27] The mountains were sculpted during the Pleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times.

Bailey Range seen from Hurricane Hill Bailey Range from Hurricane Ridge.jpg
Bailey Range seen from Hurricane Hill

See also

Related Research Articles

Mount Meany Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Meany is a prominent 6,695-foot (2,041-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. With a good eye and clear weather, the top of the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. The nearest neighbor is Mount Noyes less than one mile to the south, and the nearest higher peak is Circe (6,847 ft) on Mount Olympus, 4.07 mi (6.55 km) to the northwest. There are scrambling routes on the east side, via Noyes-Meany col, and via the ridge from Mount Queets. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, Mount Meany supports several small glaciers on its north and east slopes, despite its modest elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the headwaters of both the Elwha and Queets Rivers.

Mount Queets Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Queets is a 6,476-foot (1,974-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. With a good eye and clear weather, the top of the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Meany (6,695 ft), 0.8 mi (1.3 km) to the south. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, Mount Queets supports the Queets Glacier in a cirque on its north slope, despite its modest elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the headwaters of both the Elwha River and Queets River. There are scrambling routes ranging from class YDS 2 via the North Ridge, class 3 via the ridge from Mt. Meany, and class 4 via the Queets Glacier.

Mount Carrie Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Carrie is a 6,995-foot (2,132-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Mt. Carrie is the highest point in the Bailey Range which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. With a good eye and clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Mathias (7,156 ft) which is an outlier of Mount Olympus, 6.24 mi (10.04 km) to the south. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, Mount Carrie supports the Carrie Glacier in its northeast cirque, and Fairchild Glacier on the east slope. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River and Hoh River. There is a scrambling route via the High Divide Trail and Cat Walk.

Mount Tom (Washington) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Tom is a remote 7,076-foot (2,157-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Olympus, 1.76 mi (2.83 km) to the east. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, Mount Tom supports the massive White Glacier on its northeast slope, despite its modest elevation. This glacier is the westernmost glacier in the contiguous states, and the summit is the westernmost peak higher than 7000+ feet elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Hoh River.

West Peak (Jefferson County, Washington) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

West Peak is a 7,365-foot-high (2,245 m) peak in the Olympic Mountains, in Jefferson County of Washington state. Rising in the center of Olympic National Park, it is the highest peak on the Anderson Massif. West Peak is the hydrographic apex of the Olympic Mountains, with precipitation runoff flowing outward to the Pacific Ocean via Quinault River, the Strait of Juan de Fuca via Elwha River, and Hood Canal via the Dosewallips River. The Eel Glacier is situated in a cirque east of the summit, and an unnamed glacier resides in the south cirque. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Mystery, 7.73 miles (12.44 km) to the northeast. The first ascent of the peak was made in 1930 by E. B. Hamilton. Legend has it that the mountain's name is for Mr. West, a participant in the 1890 O'Neil Expedition, rather than for its apparent position on the Anderson Massif. The West Branch of the Quinault River was named after him in 1890.

Stephen Peak Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Stephen Peak is a 6,418-foot (1,956-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Stephen Peak is the fifth-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge, appearing to the left of Mount Olympus. Mount Ferry is set 2.26 mi (3.64 km) to the southeast, and Stephen's nearest higher neighbor is Ruth Peak which is an outlier of Mount Carrie, 2.1 mi (3.4 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River and Hoh River. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1961 by Kent Heathershaw, Doug Waali, and Robert Wood.

Mount Fitzhenry Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Fitzhenry is a 6,050-foot (1,840-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Mt. Fitzhenry is in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Fairchild, 1.57 mi (2.53 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River. Mount Fitzhenry is situated at the head of Fitzhenry Creek, and both are named for Edward Allen Fitzhenry (1868–1937), Clallam County surveyor from 1892-1900. President Woodrow Wilson appointed Fitzhenry as Washington Surveyor General in 1913, and he later served as Deputy State Land Commissioner.

Mount Fairchild Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Fairchild, also known as Mount William Fairchild, is a 6,900-foot (2,100-metre) glaciated mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Mt. Fairchild is the second-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Carrie, 0.84 mi (1.35 km) to the southwest, and Ruth Peak is set 0.92 mi (1.48 km) to the south. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River.

Mount Ferry Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Ferry is a 6,195-foot (1,888-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Mount Ferry is the eighth-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Pulitzer, 0.6 mi (0.97 km) to the southwest. Stephen Peak is set 2.26 mi (3.64 km) to the northwest, and Mount Olympus is 7.2 mi (11.6 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha and Hoh Rivers.

Mount Pulitzer (Washington) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Pulitzer, also known as Snagtooth, is a 6,283-foot (1,915-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Mount Pulitzer is the sixth-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. Its nearest neighbor is Mount Ferry, 0.58 mi (0.93 km) to the northeast, and its nearest higher neighbor is Stephen Peak, 2.58 mi (4.15 km) to the north. Mount Olympus is set 6.8 mi (10.9 km) to the southwest. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha and Hoh Rivers. The first ascent of the summit was made in 1961 by Doug Waali, Bob Wood, and Kent Heathershaw via the east ridge.

Ruth Peak Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Ruth Peak is a 6,850+ ft glaciated mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Ruth Peak is the third-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Carrie, 0.91 mi (1.46 km) to the northwest, and Mount Fairchild is set 0.92 mi (1.48 km) to the north. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Hoh and Elwha Rivers. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1961 by Bert Brown, Roy Etten, and Victor Nelson.

Mount Noyes (Washington) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Noyes is a 6,173-foot (1,882-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Part of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Noyes is situated seven miles southeast of Mount Olympus, and set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Meany, 0.6 mile to the north, and Mount Seattle rises one mile to the southeast. Noyes is a major triple divide point with precipitation runoff from the mountain draining east into the headwaters of the Elwha River, west into headwaters of Saghalie Creek which is a tributary of the Queets River, and south into headwaters of Seattle Creek which is a tributary of the Quinault River. Topographic relief is significant as the east, west, and south aspects of the peak each rise 2,200 feet (670 m) in approximately one mile.

Mount Seattle (Washington) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Seattle is a 6,246-foot (1,904-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Part of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Seattle is situated 7.5 miles southeast of Mount Olympus, and set within the Quinault Rainforest and Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Meany, 1.65 mile (2.6 km) to the north-northwest, and Mount Noyes rises one mile to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into headwaters of the Elwha River, and south into tributaries of the Quinault River. Topographic relief is significant as the northeast aspect of the peak rises over 3,800 feet (1,160 m) above the Elwha valley in approximately 1.5 mile. Low Divide forms the saddle between Mt. Seattle and Mount Christie.

Mount Wilder Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Wilder is a 5,939-foot (1,810-metre) mountain summit located near the head of the Elwha Valley, deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Part of the Olympic Mountains, Wilder represents the southernmost peak of the Bailey Range. It is situated 8.7 miles east-southeast of Mount Olympus, and is set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. Neighbors include line parent Mount Dana, 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the northeast, and Mount Seattle rises 3.7 miles to the southwest. The headwaters of the Goldie River form on the south slope of the mountain, and precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Goldie River and other tributaries of the Elwha River. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect of the peak rises nearly 3,800 feet (1,160 m) in less than two miles.

Ludden Peak Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Ludden Peak is a 5,854-foot (1,784-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Ludden Peak is part of the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains, and is set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the park's visitor center on Hurricane Ridge. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Scott, one mile to the south-southeast, line parent Mount Ferry rises 1.6 mi (2.6 km) to the southwest, Dodger Point is 1.9 mi (3.1 km) to the northeast, and Stephen Peak is set 2.7 mi (4.3 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River.

Cat Peak Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Cat Peak is a 5,940-foot (1,810-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state.

Mount Scott (Washington) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Scott is a 5,913-foot (1,802-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state.

Mount Barnes (Washington) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Barnes is a 5,987-foot (1,825-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Mount Barnes is part of the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains, and is set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. Neighbors include Mount Queets, 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the southwest, and Mount Olympus is set 6.2 mi (10.0 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into the Queets River, south into headwaters of the Elwha River, and northeast into Goldie River which is a tributary of the Elwha. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,200 feet (975 m) above Elwha Basin in approximately two miles.

Mount Childs Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Childs is a 6,193-foot (1,888-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Mount Childs is part of the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains, and is set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. Neighbors include line parent Mount Pulitzer, 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the north, Mount Barnes, 2 mi (3.2 km) to the south, and Mount Olympus is situated 5.6 mi (9.0 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into headwaters of the Hoh River, and east into Goldie River, which is a tributary of the Elwha River. The first ascent of the summit was made August 6, 1961, by Doug Waali, Bob Wood, and Kent Heathershaw via the east slope.

The Needles (Olympic Mountains) Mountain in Washington (state), United States

The Needles is a mountain ridge located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mount Carrie". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bailey Range". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  3. ↑ Backpacker, June 2007, page 66.
  4. ↑ Robert Wood, Olympic Mountains Trail Guide, National Park and National Forest, 2000, Mountaineers Books, ISBN   9781594854149, page 334.
  5. ↑ Seabury Blair Jr., Kitsap Sun, October 8, 1995
  6. ↑ Robert Wood, 1988, Across the Olympic Mountains: The Press Expedition, 1889-90, Mountaineers Books, ISBN   9781594858284.
  7. ↑ Gail E. H. Evans, T. Allan Comp, 1983, Olympic Historic Resource Study, nps.gov
  8. ↑ Judy Bentley, Craig Romano, Hiking Washington's History, 2021, University of Washington Press, ISBN   9780295748535, page 42.
  9. ↑ Parratt, Smitty (1984). Gods and Goblins: A Field Guide to Place Names of Olympic National Park (1st ed.).
  10. ↑ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. ISSN   1027-5606.
  11. ↑ Peggy Goldman, Washington Scrambles: Best Nontechnical Ascents, 2014, Mountaineers Books, ISBN   9781594858413.
  12. ↑ Bailey Range, peakbagger.com
  13. ↑ "Mount Fairchild". Peakbagger.com.
  14. ↑ "Ruth Peak". Peakbagger.com.
  15. ↑ "Stephen Peak". Peakbagger.com.
  16. ↑ "Mount Pulitzer". Peakbagger.com.
  17. ↑ "Mount Dana, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  18. ↑ "Mount Ferry". Peakbagger.com.
  19. ↑ "Mount Childs". Peakbagger.com.
  20. ↑ "Mount Fitzhenry". Peakbagger.com.
  21. ↑ "Mount Barnes". Peakbagger.com.
  22. ↑ Mount Wilder, climbersguideolympics.com
  23. ↑ "Mount Scott". Peakbagger.com.
  24. ↑ "Cat Peak". Peakbagger.com.
  25. ↑ "Ludden Peak". Peakbagger.com.
  26. ↑ "Dodger Point". Peakbagger.com.
  27. ↑ Alt, D.D.; Hyndman, D.W. (1984). Roadside Geology of Washington. pp. 249–259. ISBN   0-87842-160-2.
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