Chikamin Lake

Last updated
Chikamin Lake
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Chikamin Lake
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Chikamin Lake
Location Kittitas County, Washington
Coordinates 47°28′52″N121°18′22″W / 47.4811913°N 121.3061493°W / 47.4811913; -121.3061493
Basin  countriesUnited States
Surface area3 acres (1.2 ha)
Surface elevation5,781 feet (1,762 m) [1]
Islands 0

Chikamin Lake is a small alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in King County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Icebox Lake, Glacier Lake and Spectacle Lake a short distance South, at the base of Chikamin Ridge. To the North is Avalanche Lake and Iceberg Lake.

Contents

Location

Chikamin Lake is located northeast of Snoqualmie Pass and The Summit at Snoqualmie. The trailhead is at Gold Creek Pond on the North shore of Keechelus Lake and South of Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest.

Climate

Chikamin Lake is located in a hemiboreal climate, [2] part of the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [3] The average temperature is 36 °F (2 °C). The warmest month is August, with an average temperature of 61 °F (16 °C), and the coldest month is January, at an average of 18 °F (−8 °C). [4] The average rainfall is 66.4 in (1,687 mm) per year. The wettest month is December, with 9.7 in (247 mm) of rain, and the least in July, with 1.3 in (33 mm) millimeters of rain.

Chikamin Lake
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
220
 
 
−6
−10
 
 
206
 
 
−4
−8
 
 
183
 
 
−2
−7
 
 
127
 
 
1
−5
 
 
84
 
 
8
1
 
 
65
 
 
13
5
 
 
33
 
 
21
11
 
 
42
 
 
21
11
 
 
94
 
 
15
7
 
 
165
 
 
7
1
 
 
223
 
 
−2
−4
 
 
247
 
 
−7
−10
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: [4]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
8.7
 
 
21
14
 
 
8.1
 
 
25
18
 
 
7.2
 
 
28
19
 
 
5
 
 
34
23
 
 
3.3
 
 
46
34
 
 
2.6
 
 
55
41
 
 
1.3
 
 
70
52
 
 
1.7
 
 
70
52
 
 
3.7
 
 
59
45
 
 
6.5
 
 
45
34
 
 
8.8
 
 
28
25
 
 
9.7
 
 
19
14
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guye Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Guye Peak is a mountain in the northwest United States in the Cascade Range of Washington, east of Seattle. Named for Francis M. Guye, who held an iron mining claim on it in the 1880s, it lies in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area and overlooks Snoqualmie Pass from the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Mountain (King County, Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Red Mountain is a 5,890-foot (1,800-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which is part of the Cascade Range. Red Mountain is situated three miles north of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Lundin Peak, 0.7 mi (1.1 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains into Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the south side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River via Commonwealth Creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Kendall Peak is a mountain located on the county line separating King County and Kittitas County of Washington state. It is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the crest of the Cascade Range. Kendall Peak is situated two miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into Silver Creek and makes its way to the Columbia River via Yakima River, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River via Commonwealth Creek. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses its west flank and an exposed section of the trail called Kendall Katwalk has seen tragic deaths over the years, most recently September 5, 2018. The nearest higher peak is Red Mountain, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to the north-northwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chair Peak (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Chair Peak is a 6,238 ft (1,900 m) mountain summit located in east King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Chair Peak is situated three miles northwest of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Chair Peak is located immediately south of Snow Lake which is a popular hiking destination. The nearest higher neighbor is Kaleetan Peak, 0.57 miles (0.92 km) to the west-northwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaleetan Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Kaleetan Peak is a prominent 6,259-foot (1,908-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Kaleetan Peak is situated four miles northwest of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It's immediately west of Melakwa Pass and Chair Peak, and north of Melakwa Lake. Precipitation runoff on the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. The nearest higher peak is Snoqualmie Mountain, 2.89 miles (4.65 km) to the east. The mountain's name "Kaleetan" derives from Chinook Jargon which means "arrow".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huckleberry Mountain (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Huckleberry Mountain is a 6,320+ ft summit located on the shared border of King County and Kittitas County in Washington state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Thomson</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mount Thomson is a prominent 6,554-foot-elevation (1,998-meter) mountain summit in eastern King County of Washington state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Snow Mountain</span> Mountain summit of the Cascade Range in King County, Washington State

Big Snow Mountain is a prominent 6,680-foot (2,040-metre) mountain summit located 7 mi (11 km) north of Snoqualmie Pass in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in eastern King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers. The nearest higher peak is Overcoat Peak, 3.75 mi (6.04 km) to the east-southeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Three Queens</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Three Queens is a prominent 6,687 ft (2,040 m) triple-summit mountain located in the Cascade Range, in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. The East Peak is the highest, and its subpeaks are the Middle Peak, and West Peak. Three Queens is set 6.5 miles (10.5 km) east-northeast of Snoqualmie Pass, on Chikamin Ridge, 2.76 miles (4.44 km) southeast of its nearest higher neighbor, Chikamin Peak. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the west slope of Three Queens as it crosses the gap between Four Brothers and Three Queens. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Yakima River drainage basin. The first ascent was likely made in 1925 by a party of eight Mountaineers led by Glen Bremerman and C. A. Fisher. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1940 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rampart Lakes</span> Lake in Washington, United States

Rampart Lakes area a set of contiguous freshwater reservoir lakes located on the south slope of Alta Mountain, in Kittitas County, Washington. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Klonaqua Lakes area. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout.

Lake Augusta is a freshwater lake located on the southwest skirt of Big Jim Mountain, East of Icicle Ridge, in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing cutthroat trout. Smaller Lake Ida is a short distance on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge and Big Jim Mountain Lakes or on the northeast slope of the mountain. Lake Augusta is located approximately 15 miles west of the city of Leavenworth. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Lake Augusta area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Edna</span> Lake in Washington state, US

Lake Edna is a freshwater lake located along Icicle Ridge, approximately 10 miles west of the city of Leavenworth in Chelan County, Washington. Because of its close proximity to Icicle Ridge Trail, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Lake Alice is a short distance in a prominent cirque on the opposite side of Icicle Ridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alaska Lake</span>

Alaska Lake is a freshwater lake located on the western skirt of Alaska Mountain at the border between King County and Kittitas County, Washington. The lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Rampart Lakes a short distance south, at the base of Mount Margaret. To the east is Hibox Mountain.

Angeline Lake is a freshwater lake located on the northern slope of Iron Cap Mountain between Otter Lake, Azure Lake and Big Heart Lake, in King County, Washington. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Big Snow Mountain area. West Fork Foss River exits Angeline Lake into a canyon that produces Angeline Falls downstream from Chetwoot Lake to Delta Lake. Because Angeline Lake is at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing golden trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

Chetwoot Lake is a freshwater lake located on the western slope of Iron Cap Mountain next to Crawford Lake, in King County, Washington. West Fork Foss River exits Chetwoot Lake towards Angeline Lake and then to a canyon that produces Angeline Falls downstream towards Delta Lake. Because Chetwoot Lake is at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing.

Avalanche Lake is a small alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in King County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Iceberg Lake a short distance East, at the base of Chimney Rock West. To the South is Chikamin Lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spectacle Lake (Washington)</span> Lake in Kittitas County, United States of America

Spectacle Lake is an alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in Kittitas County on its western border with King County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, camping and fishing cutthroat trout. Other Alpine lakes are in the vicinity, including the Chikamin Lake, a short distance North, at the base of Chikamin Peak. To the South is Hibox Mountain.

Glacier Lake is a small alpine freshwater lake located on the northern skirt of Chikamin Peak and Lemah Mountain in Kittitas County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, camping, and fishing golden trout. Glacier Lake is a short distance between Chikamin Lake and Spectacle Lake at the base of Chikamin Ridge. The Pacific Crest Trail is a short distance from Glacier Lake as well as other Alpine lakes located in the vicinity. To the North is Avalanche Lake and Iceberg Lake at the base of Lemah Mountain.

Chiwaukum Lake is an alpine freshwater lake located on the Ewing Basin south of Lake Donald and the McCue Ridge in King County, Washington. Because of its proximity to surrounding peaks and mountains at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking. Outflow from Chiwaukum Lake is Chiwaukum Creek and an unnamed creek flows into Chiwaukim Lake from Larch Lake. A short distance north of Donald Lake are other Scottish Lakes including Loch Eileen and Lake Julius.

Snoqualmie Lake Potholes is a set of freshwater lakes located southeast Snoqualmie Lake, in King County, Washington. Self-issued Alpine Lake Wilderness permit required for transit within the Big Snow Mountain area. Because Snoqualmie Lake Potholes are at the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, the lake is a popular area for hiking, swimming, and fishing rainbow trout and cutthroat trout.

References

  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Avalanche Lake
  2. Peel, M C; Finlayson, B L. "Updated world map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification" (PDF). Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. 11: 1639–1640. doi: 10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 . Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Archived from the original on 6 August 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2021.