Bedal Peak | |
---|---|
![]() West aspect | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 6,554 ft (1,998 m) [1] |
Prominence | 1,224 ft (373 m) [2] |
Parent peak | Sloan Peak (7,835 ft) [3] |
Isolation | 1.98 mi (3.19 km) [3] |
Coordinates | 48°04′08″N121°21′15″W / 48.0689004°N 121.3541346°W [4] |
Geography | |
Location | Snohomish County, Washington, U.S. |
Parent range | Cascade Range North Cascades |
Topo map | USGS Sloan Peak |
Geology | |
Type of rock | Orthogneiss [1] |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1921 |
Easiest route | class 2 scrambling [3] |
Bedal Peak is a 6,554-foot-elevation (1,998-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. [4] The mountain is situated in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is line parent Sloan Peak, 2 mi (3.2 km) to the south-southeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west to the South Fork Sauk River via Bedal Creek, as well as north and east into tributaries of the North Fork. The north and south forks merge at the northwest base of the mountain to form the Sauk River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) above the Sauk River Valley and Mountain Loop Highway in approximately two miles.
This geographical feature's name has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to remember James Bedal (1862–1932), who settled at the base of the peak with his wife Susie in 1892. [4] [1] He worked for the National Forest Service. The first ascent of the summit was made circa 1921 by Harry Bedal who was the son of James. [1] Harry is also credited with the first ascents of Sloan Peak and Three Fingers.
Bedal Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [1] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. [1] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C). [1] 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. [1]
The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [5] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 11.5 mi (18.5 km) east-northeast of Bedal Peak, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene. [1] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [5]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [5] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.
Mount Pugh is a peak near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Washington state. It is located 12.2 miles (19.6 km) west of Glacier Peak, one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. It rises out of the confluence of the White Chuck River and the Sauk River, giving it very low footings. For example, it rises 6,150 feet (1,875 m) above the Sauk River Valley in just over 2 horizontal miles (3.2 km); its rise over the White Chuck River is almost as dramatic. The mountain is named for John Pugh, who settled nearby, in 1891.
Sloan Peak is a 7,835-foot (2,388-metre) mountain in the North Cascades of Washington state. It rises about 40 miles (64 km) east of Everett, Washington and 12 miles southwest of Glacier Peak, one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. It is located between the north and south forks of Sauk River, in the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. The summit is situated about 4 miles (6.4 km) east of the Mountain Loop Highway.
Sahale Mountain is a jagged, glaciated mountain, in North Cascades National Park, in northern Washington state. The summit of Sahale Mountain is referred to as Sahale Peak. It is 0.3 miles (0.48 km) south of its higher neighbor, Boston Peak, and the saddle between the two is 80 feet (24 m) lower than Sahale's summit. Quien Sabe Glacier is to the west of the ridge between the two peaks while Davenport Glacier is in a cirque east of this ridge and above Horseshoe Basin. Sahale Glacier is south of the summit and east of Sahale Arm, a ridge that extends southwest from Sahale to Cascade Pass. The name Sahale may originate from a Northwest Native American word meaning "high place," "falcon," or "sacred."
Breccia Peak is a mountain summit in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. Its summit is 6,487 feet (1,977 m) above sea level. The peak is the eroded remnant of a stratovolcano, and takes its name from the type of rock, breccia, that it is composed of. It is located 15 miles southeast of Darrington, Washington, and 8.7 miles (14.0 km) west of Glacier Peak, which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. It is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Pugh, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from Breccia Peak drains into tributaries of the Sauk River.
Del Campo Peak is a prominent summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located south of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain is named for a mining claim on the mountain's slope. The nearest peak is Gothic Peak, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the southwest, and Foggy Pass is the low point between the two peaks. Foggy Lake lies in Gothic Basin below the south face of Del Campo Peak and collects precipitation runoff which ultimately drains to South Fork Sauk River via Weden Creek. Runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into the Sultan River, and the north side drains into headwaters of the Stillaguamish River. In terms of favorable weather, the best months for climbing are July through September.
Cadet Peak is a 7,186 ft mountain summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. The peak is located southeast of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway, and two miles east of the historic Monte Cristo area. It is situated within the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain was originally called Foggy Peak, for the Foggy Mine claim on the mountain's north slope, but the name was changed in 1896 to its present name, and the Foggy Peak name was transferred to the peak immediately northwest of Cadet. Back in the old mining days, the long sub-range stretching from Cadet Peak to Sheep Mountain was known as Pride of the Mountains Range. Cadet's nearest higher neighbor is Kyes Peak, 1.59 mi (2.56 km) to the south-southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk River.
Mount Thomson is a prominent 6,554-foot-elevation (1,998-meter) mountain summit in eastern King County of Washington state.
White Mountain is a 7,043-foot (2,147-metre) mountain located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County and Chelan County, and also straddling the boundary between Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Wenatchee National Forest. White Mountain is located 3.04 mi (4.89 km) to the west-southwest of Kololo Peaks, and immediately north of White Pass. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the south slope of the peak. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into the White River, White Chuck River, and Sauk River. The mountain's name was suggested by The Mountaineers, and officially adopted in 1918 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Tupshin Peak is an 8,320+ ft mountain summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated in Chelan County, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is Devore Peak, 1.55 mi (2.49 km) to the south-southwest, and Bonanza Peak lies 6.71 mi (10.80 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains to nearby Lake Chelan via tributaries of the Stehekin River. The mountain's name comes from Chinook jargon and means "needle".
Johnson Mountain is a 6,721-foot (2,049-metre) mountain summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated in eastern Snohomish County, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is White Mountain, 3.3 mi (5.3 km) to the northeast, along with Indian Head Peak 3.38 mi (5.44 km) to the east. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk River. The mountain's name honors Mackinaw Johnson, a prospector who had a cabin in the vicinity.
Mount Forgotten is a 6,005-foot-elevation (1,830-meter) mountain summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located five miles north of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area and is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Pugh, 4.22 mi (6.79 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk River.
Gothic Peak is a 6,213-foot (1,894-metre) multi-peak mountain summit located near the western edge of the North Cascades Range, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located south of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain was named for early prospector William Gothic, who was one of the first to stake a claim in Gothic Basin. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1967. The nearest higher peak is Del Campo Peak, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the northeast, and Foggy Pass is the low point between the two peaks. Foggy Lake lies in Gothic Basin below the east face of Gothic Peak and collects precipitation runoff which ultimately drains to South Fork Sauk River via Weden Creek. Runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into the Sultan River. The first ascent of the mountain was made on June 10, 1934, by Don Blair, Willard Carr, Norval Grigg, and Art Winder. In terms of catching favorable weather, the best months for climbing are July through September.
Sperry Peak is a 6,120+ ft mountain summit in Snohomish County of Washington state.
Sauk Mountain is a 5,541-foot (1,689-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is situated immediately north of Rockport State Park and the North Cascades Highway, on land managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Sauk Mountain is positioned west of the crest of the North Cascades Range, approximately nine miles east of Concrete, Washington, and 17 miles north of the town of Darrington. Its nearest higher peak is Helen Buttes, 5.86 miles (9.43 km) to the northeast. A popular two-mile trail provides hikers with good views from the craggy summit of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Chaval, and the Picket Range. Precipitation runoff from Sauk Mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.
Emerald Peak is an 8,422-foot-elevation (2,567-meter) mountain summit located in the Chelan Mountains, in Chelan County of Washington state.
Saska Peak is an 8,404 ft (2,560 m) mountain summit located in the Chelan Mountains, in Chelan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Saska Peak ranks as the third-highest peak in the Chelan Mountains, and 74th-highest summit in Washington state. Its nearest higher neighbor is Emerald Peak, 0.66 mi (1.06 km) to the east-northeast, and Cardinal Peak is positioned 1.52 mi (2.45 km) to the east-southeast. These three highest peaks of the Chelan Mountains enclose the head of North Fork Entiat River valley. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into the Entiat River drainage basin. The mountain's name honors Shil-how-Saskt, Tribal chief of the Entiat people, and was applied by Albert Hale Sylvester (1871-1944), a pioneer surveyor, topographer, and forest supervisor who named thousands of geographic features in the Cascades. In the Columbia-Moses language (Salishan), this name means "Standing in the middle of the sky."
Morning Star Peak is a 6,020 ft (1,830 m) mountain summit located near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is situated 2.5 mi (4.0 km) southwest of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is set on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Sperry Peak, 1 mile (1.6 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into the Sultan River, and the north side drains into headwaters of the Stillaguamish River. July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing this mountain.
Black Mountain is a 7,262-foot-elevation (2,213-meter) summit located in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Neighbors include line parent Kololo Peaks, 6 mi (9.7 km) to the east, Painted Mountain two miles west, and Glacier Peak is 5 mi (8.0 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into tributaries of the North Fork Sauk River, and east into the White Chuck River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,460 feet above the White Chuck in two miles. The first ascent of the summit was likely made in 1897 by a survey team including A. H. Dubor, Thomas G. Gerdine, and Sam Strom, who named the mountain for the dark color of its rock. The ascent from the north via Lake Byrne is non-technical.
Painted Mountain is a 6,975-foot-elevation (2,126-meter) summit located in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Neighbors include line parent Black Mountain, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the east, and Glacier Peak is 7 mi (11 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into tributaries of the North Fork Sauk River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 5,000 feet above the river in less than two miles.
Wilmans Peaks is a 6,880-foot elevation (2,097 m) mountain summit, in Snohomish County of Washington state.