Church Mountain (Washington)

Last updated
Church Mountain
Martin Bravenboer True summit of Church Mountain from the lookout site.jpg
True summit of Church Mountain from the lookout site
Highest point
Elevation 6,315 ft (1,925 m) [1]
Prominence 1,115 ft (340 m) [1]
Coordinates 48°55′36″N121°52′56″W / 48.926791°N 121.8820883°W / 48.926791; -121.8820883 Coordinates: 48°55′36″N121°52′56″W / 48.926791°N 121.8820883°W / 48.926791; -121.8820883 [2]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Church Mountain
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Church Mountain
Church Mountain (the United States)
Parent range Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Glacier
Looking Southeast from the end of the trail near summit. ChurchMountain020160619 123a.jpg
Looking Southeast from the end of the trail near summit.

Church Mountain is a 6,315-foot (1,925-metre) mountain summit located north of Mount Baker in Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. [3] The summit affords a 360 degree view of the area, which includes Mount Baker to the south and Mount Shuksan to the southeast. [3]

Contents

Climate

Church Mountain 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 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. [4] 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). [4] 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. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Nooksack River.

See also

Related Research Articles

Mount Dickerman

Mount Dickerman, or Dickerman Mountain, is a mountain in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington state. It is located northwest of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway. A strenuous four mile trail leads from this highway to the summit with views which includes Glacier Peak, Monte Cristo Peak, and Sloan Peak.

Mount Larrabee

Mount Larrabee is a 7,865-foot (2,397-metre) Skagit Range mountain summit situated 1.4 mile south of the Canada–United States border, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located immediately southeast of American Border Peak within the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and near North Cascades National Park. It is notable for its reddish coloring caused by oxidation of Iron in the rock. The rock consists of reddish interbedded and interfolded phyllites and greenstone. Originally known as Red Mountain, the name was changed in 1951 to honor Charles F. Larrabee (1895–1950), of the prominent Larrabee family of Bellingham, Washington. The name was officially adopted in 1951 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Breccia Peak (Washington)

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.

Tomyhoi Peak

Tomyhoi Peak is a 7,439-foot (2,267-metre) Skagit Range mountain situated one mile south of the Canada–United States border, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located west of Mount Larrabee and within the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1913 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Stevens Peak

Stevens Peak is a 6,560-foot (2,000-metre) mountain summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located in Mount Rainier National Park, one mile east of Unicorn Peak. The name honors Hazard Stevens who made the first documented ascent of Mount Rainier along with P. B. Van Trump on August 17, 1870. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1913. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

Chutla Peak

Chutla Peak is a summit on the crest of the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park. The mountain's name "Chutla" derives from Chinook Jargon which means "rock". Precipitation runoff on the peak drains into the Nisqually River.

Eagle Peak (Washington)

Eagle Peak is a 5,958-foot (1,816-metre) mountain summit on the west end of the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located south of Mount Rainier, within Mount Rainier National Park, and immediately east of Longmire. Eagle Peak was originally known as Simlayshe, a Native American word meaning eagle. George Longmire anglicized the name to Eagle Peak. The four mile Eagle Peak Trail leads to views of Mount Rainier. The summit of Eagle Peak requires scrambling. Precipitation runoff on the peak drains into the Nisqually River.

Diobsud Buttes

Diobsud Buttes are summits near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It's located north of Marblemount, Washington, and Helen Buttes in the Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness, on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Logger Butte, 0.85 mi (1.37 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Diobsud Buttes drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.

Mount Sefrit

Mount Sefrit is a 7,191 ft (2,190 m) Skagit Range summit located three miles north of Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, and the Picket Range. Mount Sefrit's name honors Frank Ira Sefrit (1867–1950), editor and publisher of The Bellingham Herald for nearly 40 years. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1952 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the deep valleys of Ruth Creek and the Nooksack River which nearly encircle Mount Sefrit, except for Nooksack Ridge which connects it to Ruth Mountain.

Mount Persis

Mount Persis is a 5,464 ft summit located in Snohomish County, of Washington state. The mountain is part of the Cascade Range and is situated in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain was named for Persis Gunn, the wife of homesteader/miner Amos Gunn who started the nearby town of Index, Washington, and also named nearby Mount Index. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Skykomish River.

Table Mountain (Whatcom County, Washington)

Table Mountain is a Skagit Range summit located west of Mount Shuksan and northeast of Mount Baker in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Table Mountain is located west of Artist Point, at the end of the Mount Baker Highway. From the Artist Point parking lot, a short 1.4 mile trail leads to the summit at the west end of the mountain. The summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, Mount Hermann, and Mount Larrabee. Remnants of the Table Mountain Glacier are on the northeast slope. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit and Nooksack Rivers.

Goat Mountain (Whatcom County)

Goat Mountain is a 6,844 ft summit in the Skagit Range which is a subset of the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located south of Mount Larrabee and north of Mount Shuksan in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Goat Mountain has a subsidiary 6,725 ft summit known as the west peak, and remnants of what was colloquially known as the Swamp Creek Glacier rest on the northern slope between the two summits. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Chardonnay, 2.75 mi (4.43 km) to the east. The Silver Tip Mine was located on the south slope of the mountain near the 3,000 ft level. The mine produced silver and gold in the 1940s. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Fraser River and the Nooksack River.

Mount Forgotten

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.

Granite Mountain (Whatcom County, Washington)

Granite Mountain is a 6,692-foot (2,040-metre) mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated 1.7 mi (2.7 km) south of Mount Chardonnay, and 1.2 mi (1.9 km) northwest of Hannegan Peak in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Fraser River and the Nooksack River.

Mount Chardonnay

Mount Chardonnay is a prominent 7,020+ ft mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated 1.7 mi (2.7 km) north of Granite Mountain and 2.75 mi (4.43 km) east of Goat Mountain in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Sefrit, 2.77 mi (4.46 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Silesia Creek, a tributary of the Fraser River.

Hannegan Peak

Hannegan Peak is a 6,191-foot (1,887-metre) mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated immediately north of Hannegan Pass, and 2.2 mi (3.5 km) north of Ruth Mountain in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Banning Austin and R.M. Lyle made the first ascent of Hannegan Peak in 1893 while surveying for a possible road across the Cascades over Hannegan Pass to Whatcom Pass. This peak was named in association with Hannegan Pass, which in turn was named for Tom Hannegan, State Road Commissioner at that time. Although no road was built, a four-mile trail leads hikers to the pass, and another one-mile path leads to the summit. Peaks which can be seen from the summit include Mount Shuksan, Ruth Mountain, Mineral Mountain, Mount Baker, Mount Sefrit, Mount Larrabee, Granite Mountain, Mount Chardonnay, Mount Rexford, the Picket Range, and many more.

Morning Star Peak

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.

Mount Hermann

Mount Hermann is a 6,240+ ft Skagit Range summit located northwest of Mount Shuksan and northeast of Mount Baker, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in the Mount Baker Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Hermann is located immediately west of the Mt. Baker Ski Area, at the end of the Mount Baker Highway. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Nooksack River. This peak is named for Binger Hermann (1843–1926), head of the U.S. General Land Office. This geographic feature has also had variant names "Mount Herman", and "Herman Peak". The present name and spelling was officially adopted in 1988 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Pocket Peak

Pocket Peak is a 7,056-foot (2,151-metre) mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated immediately west of Pocket Lake, and 4 mi (6.4 km) east of Mount Larrabee in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Pocket Peak is set on the Slesse Divide, 0.7 mile south of the Canada–United States border. Its nearest higher neighbor is Rapid Peak, 2.24 mi (3.60 km) to the southeast, North Big Bosom Butte is 2.5 miles to the southwest, and Slesse Mountain is set 3.24 mi (5.21 km) to the northwest. Other peaks which can be seen from the summit include Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, American Border Peak, Mount Chardonnay, Mount Rexford, and many more. This unofficially named peak is named in association with officially named Pocket Lake. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into Silesia and Ensawkwatch Creeks, which are both tributaries of the Chilliwack River.

Yellow Aster Butte Mountain in Washington, United States of America

Yellow Aster Butte is a 6,241-foot (1,902-metre) Skagit Range summit located three miles south of the Canada–United States border, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated within the Mount Baker Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Winchester Mountain, 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the east, and Mount Larrabee is set 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the northeast. The summit offers views of Mount Larrabee, Tomyhoi Peak, American Border Peak, Canadian Border Peak, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Baker. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains into Tomyhoi Creek, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into Damfino Creek, and the south slope is drained by Swamp Creek.

References

  1. 1 2 "Church Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.[ self-published source? ]
  2. "Church Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  3. 1 2 "Washington Trails Association: Church Mountain" . Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  4. 1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.