Barrier Peak

Last updated
Barrier Peak
Barrier Peak at MORA.jpg
Barrier Peak seen from Sourdough Ridge
Highest point
Elevation 6,521 ft (1,988 m)  [1]
Prominence 281 ft (86 m)  [1]
Coordinates 46°51′34″N121°34′38″W / 46.859518°N 121.57717°W / 46.859518; -121.57717 Coordinates: 46°51′34″N121°34′38″W / 46.859518°N 121.57717°W / 46.859518; -121.57717  
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Barrier Peak
Location of Barrier Peak in Washington
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Barrier Peak
Barrier Peak (the United States)
Location Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range Cascades
Topo map USGS Chinook Pass
Climbing
Easiest route Scrambling class 3

Barrier Peak [2] is a small 6,521 ft (1,988 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated west of Cayuse Pass, 0.53 mile west-northwest of Buell Peak, and 0.4 mile south-southwest of Governors Ridge, which is its nearest higher peak. [1] The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. The peak was so named because it served as a barrier between the Cayuse Pass region and the rest of Mount Rainier National Park. [3]

Mount Rainier National Park national park of the United States

Mount Rainier National Park is an American national park located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington state. The park was established on March 2, 1899 as the fifth national park in the United States, preserving 236,381 acres including all of Mount Rainier, a 14,411-foot (4,392 m) stratovolcano. The mountain rises abruptly from the surrounding land with elevations in the park ranging from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet (490–4,300 m). The highest point in the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier is surrounded by valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, and 91,000 acres of old-growth forest. More than 25 glaciers descend the flanks of the volcano, which is often shrouded in clouds that dump enormous amounts of rain and snow.

Pierce County, Washington County in Washington

Pierce County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 795,225, making it the second-most populous county in Washington behind King County, and the 63rd-most populous in the United States. The county seat and largest city is Tacoma. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory, it was named for U.S. President Franklin Pierce. Pierce County is in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Cascade Range mountain range in western North America

The Cascade Range or Cascades is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades. The small part of the range in British Columbia is referred to as the Canadian Cascades or, locally, as the Cascade Mountains. The latter term is also sometimes used by Washington residents to refer to the Washington section of the Cascades in addition to North Cascades, the more usual U.S. term, as in North Cascades National Park. The highest peak in the range is Mount Rainier in Washington at 14,411 feet (4,392 m).

Contents

Climate

Barrier Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. Precipitation runoff from Barrier Peak drains into tributaries of the White River and Cowlitz River. [1]

North America Continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere

North America is a continent entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and almost all within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered by some to be a northern subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the west and south by the Pacific Ocean, and to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea.

Weather front boundary separating two masses of air of different densities

A weather front is a boundary separating two masses of air of different densities, and is the principal cause of meteorological phenomena outside the tropics. In surface weather analyses, fronts are depicted using various colored triangles and half-circles, depending on the type of front. The air masses separated by a front usually differ in temperature and humidity.

Pacific Ocean Ocean between Asia and Australia in the west, the Americas in the east and Antarctica or the Southern Ocean in the south.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south and is bounded by Asia and Australia in the west and the Americas in the east.

Barrier Peak (centered) seen from Owyhigh Lakes with Governors Needle (left) Barrier Peak from Owyhigh Lakes.jpg
Barrier Peak (centered) seen from Owyhigh Lakes with Governors Needle (left)

See also

Related Research Articles

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Stevens Peak mountain in Washington, United States

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Rainy Peak

Rainy Peak is a 7,768 ft (2,368 m) summit in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located 3 kilometers south of Rainy Pass and one kilometer southeast of Frisco Mountain on the borders of the Stephen Mather Wilderness and North Cascades National Park. Its nearest higher peak is Corteo Peak, 2.33 mi (3.75 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from Rainy Peak drains into Rainy Lake and tributaries of Bridge Creek. The retreating Lyall Glacier in its north cirque contributes to waterfalls which tumble 1,000 ft (300 m) into Rainy Lake.

Mount Fremont

Mount Fremont is a 7,317 feet (2,230 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Sourdough Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Mount Fremont is situated northwest of the Sunrise Historic District, with a popular trail leading to the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout. However, this trail does not reach the true summit, and access is further limited by snowpack closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. Second Burroughs Mountain is its nearest higher peak, 1.31 mi (2.11 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from Mount Fremont drains into the White River.

McNeeley Peak (Washington)

McNeeley Peak is a 6,786 feet (2,068 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Sourdough Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. McNeeley Peak is situated north of the Sunrise Historic District, east of Mount Fremont, and northwest of Antler Peak. The peak was named in 1932 for Edwin J. McNeeley, a prominent Tacoma businessman. Access is limited by snow closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. Precipitation runoff from McNeeley Peak drains into the White River.

Seymour Peak

Seymour Peak is a 6,337 feet (1,932 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated southeast of Cayuse Pass and northeast of Shriner Peak. Its nearest higher peak is Dewey Peak, 0.79 mi (1.27 km) to the east. Seymour Peak is named for William Wolcott Seymour (1861-1929), mayor of Tacoma, Washington from 1911 to 1914. He was also a philanthropist, mountaineer, and a contributor to the scouting movement. Precipitation runoff from Seymour Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

Shriner Peak

Shriner Peak is a 5,834 feet (1,778 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated south of Cayuse Pass, southwest of Seymour Peak, and southeast of Double Peak. A four mile trail leads from Highway 123 to the Shriner Peak Fire Lookout at the top of the mountain. Precipitation runoff from Shriner Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

Naches Peak

Naches Peak is a 6,452 feet (1,967 m) summit located on the shared border of Mount Rainier National Park and William O. Douglas Wilderness. It is also on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Naches Peak is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range and immediately southeast of Chinook Pass. Its nearest higher peak is Tahtlum Peak, 1.45 mi (2.33 km) to the east. The name Naches Peak was proposed by the Yakima Chamber of Commerce and approved by Asahel Curtis in 1927. The Naches Peak Loop Trail is a popular 3.5 mile trail encircling the peak. Precipitation runoff from the west side of Naches Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River, whereas the east side drains into tributaries of the Yakima River.

Marcus Peak

Marcus Peak is a 6,962 feet (2,122 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Sourdough Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range and is situated north of Dege Peak. The peak was named in 1932 for Marcus Whitman (1802–1847), an early pioneer and physician. The Whitman Glacier on Little Tahoma also honors him. Access to Marcus Peak is limited due to snow closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. The nearest higher peak is Palisades Peak, 0.64 miles (1.03 km) to the north-northeast. Precipitation runoff from Marcus Peak drains into the White River.

Yakima Peak mountain in Washington, United States of America

Yakima Peak is a 6,226 feet (1,898 m) summit located on the eastern border of Mount Rainier National Park. It is also on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Yakima Peak is situated northwest of Tipsoo Lake and west of Chinook Pass on the crest of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher peak is Deadwood Peak, 0.59 mi (0.95 km) to the north. The name Yakima Peak honors the Yakima Tribe of eastern Washington state. From Chinook Pass, a short scramble up a gully on the north side leads to a flat summit with unobstructed views of Mount Rainier and Naches Peak.

Governors Ridge

Governors Ridge is located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated west of Cayuse Pass and 1.09 mile east of Tamanos Mountain, which is its nearest higher peak. The name honors all the governors who have served the state of Washington. The highest rocky crag on the ridge is known as Governors Peak. There is also a 40-foot leaning spire known as Governors Needle, and Barrier Peak is at the southern culmination of the ridge. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail.

Sluiskin Mountain

Sluiskin Mountain is a prominent pair of summits located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is situated northwest of Burroughs Mountain and is part of the Cascade Range. The higher rocky peak is known as The Chief (7026 ft), and the second peak to the west is known as The Squaw. West of The Squaw are pinnacles called The Papooses. Sluiskin was the native American guide who assisted with the first successful ascent of Mount Rainier by Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump in 1870. Sluiskin Falls within the park also honors him.

Cowlitz Chimneys

Cowlitz Chimneys are a group of four rhyolite towers located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. As part of the Cascade Range, the Cowlitz Chimneys are situated southwest of Tamanos Mountain and east of Banshee Peak, all of which are visible from the Sunrise Historic District. The Sarvant Glacier is set on the north aspect of these remnants of a volcanic plug. Cowlitz is the name of several geographical features in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as the state of Washington. The name appeared as early as the Lewis and Clark journals of 1805 when it was written as "Cowliskee" and has the Chinook Jargon meaning of "capturing the medicine spirit".

Double Peak (Washington)

Double Peak is the descriptive name of a 6,199 feet (1,889 m) double summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. Part of the Cascade Range, it is situated northwest of Shriner Peak, south of Governors Ridge, and southeast of the Cowlitz Chimneys.

The Castle (Washington)

The Castle is the descriptive name for a summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It is located in Lewis County of Washington state. Situated in Mount Rainier National Park, The Castle is 0.2 mile immediately east of Pinnacle Peak. Precipitation runoff from The Castle drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

Three Way Peak

Three Way Peak is a 6,796 feet (2,071 m) summit located on the eastern border of Mount Rainier National Park. It is also on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Three Way Peak is situated 0.42 mi north of Cupalo Rock on the crest of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher peak is Crystal Mountain, 0.56 mi (0.90 km) to the northwest. Chinook Peak is 0.8 mile to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from Three Way Peak drains into tributaries of the White River and Naches River.

Denman Peak mountain in Washington, United States of America

Denman Peak is a small 6,006 ft summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park. Denman Peak is situated east of Lane Peak and west of Pinnacle Peak.

Buell Peak

Buell Peak is a small 5,756 ft summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated 1.5 miles southwest of Cayuse Pass and 0.53 mile east-southeast of Barrier Peak, which is its nearest higher peak. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. The peak's name honors John Latimore Buell who arrived in Orting, Washington in 1890 and went into the hardware business.

Bismarck Peak mountain in Washington, United States of America

Bismarck Peak is a 7,585 feet (2,312 m) mountain summit centrally located in the William O. Douglas Wilderness on land administered by the Wenatchee National Forest. It is also 24 miles east-southeast of Mount Rainier in Yakima County of Washington state. Bismarck Peak is situated east of the crest of the Cascade Range, southeast of Bumping Lake, south of Mount Aix, and northwest of Rimrock Lake. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Aix, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the north-northeast. Aix and Bismarck are the two highest peaks midway between Mount Rainier National Park and Yakima, Washington so they are quite prominent. Precipitation runoff from Bismarck Peak drains into tributaries of the Yakima River, thence into the Columbia River.

Skyscraper Mountain

Skyscraper Mountain is a 7,078 feet (2,157 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range. Skyscraper Mountain is situated northwest of the Sunrise Historic District, from which a four-mile hike leads to the mountain, mostly on the Wonderland Trail. However, the trail does not reach the summit, but it is still a walk up to the top from Skyscraper Pass. The summit provides views of Burroughs Mountain, Sluiskin Mountain, and Mount Rainier. Mount Fremont is its nearest higher peak, 1.1 mi (1.8 km) to the east. Access is limited by snowpack closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. Precipitation runoff from Skyscraper Mountain drains into tributaries of the White River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Barrier Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ "Barrier Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  3. ↑ Gary Fuller Reese, Mount Rainier National Park Place Names, 2009.
  4. ↑ Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
Governors Ridge, Barrier Peak, and Tamanos Mountain seen from the Sunrise area Governors Ridge, Tamanos Mountain.jpg
Governors Ridge, Barrier Peak, and Tamanos Mountain seen from the Sunrise area
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