Colchuck Balanced Rock | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 8,240 ft (2,512 m) [1] |
Prominence | 229 ft (70 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Enchantment Peak (8,543 ft) [1] |
Coordinates | 47°29′29″N120°49′08″W / 47.491451°N 120.818789°W [2] |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Chelan |
Protected area | Alpine Lakes Wilderness |
Parent range | Stuart Range [2] Cascade Range |
Topo map | USGS Enchantment Lakes |
Geology | |
Type of rock | Granite |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1958 by Gene Prater,Thomas Quin [3] |
Easiest route | Climbing |
Colchuck Balanced Rock is an 8,240-foot (2,512-metre) granite mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Colchuck Balanced Rock is part of The Enchantments within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It belongs to the Stuart Range which is subset of the Cascade Range. Colchuck Balanced Rock is situated west of Enchantment Peak, and east of Jabberwocky Tower and Colchuck Lake. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into the lake and Mountaineer Creek, a tributary of Icicle Creek. The climbing approach is via the Colchuck Lake Trail, then traversing away from Aasgard Pass approximately 400 feet above the lake. The mountain is named for its pyramidal summit which has a top-block that nests, rather than balances, on the summit. [4] The mountain and glacier take their name from the lake, which in Chinook jargon means "cold water". [5]
Weather fronts coming off the Pacific Ocean travel east toward the Cascade Mountains. [4] As fronts approach, 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 Cascades experience 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.
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires spotted with over 700 mountain lakes. [6] Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to various climate differences.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [7]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [7] The last glacial retreat in the Alpine Lakes area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago. [7] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of that 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 Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.
Climbing Routes on Colchuck Balanced Rock [8]
Dragontail Peak, also known as Dragon Tail, is a mountain in the Stuart Range, in Chelan County, Washington. While climbing an adjacent peak, Lex Maxwell, Bob McCall, and Bill Prater remarked that the needles on the crest, southwest of the summit, resembled a "dragon tail". The name was officially accepted in 1955. On the mountain's northeast flank lies Colchuck Lake which drains into Mountaineer Creek, and Colchuck Glacier lies below the western slopes of the peak. On its south side the mountain drops steeply to Ingalls Creek, which flows about 5,800 feet (1,800 m) below the summit.
Mount Hinman is located on the border of Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests in the U.S. state of Washington. Mount Hinman is less than 2 mi (3.2 km) west of Mount Daniel and both are within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Hinman Glacier is situated on the north flank of Mount Hinman and Foss Glacier is to the northeast. The mountain was named in 1934 for Dr. Harry B. Hinman, a founder of the Everett branch of The Mountaineers club.
Garfield Mountain, also known as Mount Garfield, is a multi-peak summit located in King County of Washington state. It's located on the western edge of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Garfield is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 4,400 feet above the river in approximately one mile. The mountain's name honors James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States.
Alta Mountain is a 6,240+ ft mountain summit located in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which is part of the Cascade Range. Alta Mountain is situated on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Yakima River.
Prusik Peak is an 8,008-foot (2,441-metre) granite summit located at the west end of The Temple in Chelan County of Washington state. Prusik Peak is part of The Enchantments within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and is often the iconic photographic image of both areas. Prusik Peak belongs to the Stuart Range which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The toponym honors Dr. Karl Prusik (1896–1961) who was an Austrian mountaineer, known as the inventor of the prusik, a rope knot which happened to be used to gain access to the summit horn during the first ascent by Fred Beckey in 1948. Precipitation runoff drains into Icicle Creek which is a tributary of the Wenatchee River.
Enchantment Peak is an 8,538-foot (2,602-metre) granite summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Enchantment Peak is part of The Enchantments within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Enchantment Peak belongs to the Stuart Range which is subset of the Cascade Range. Enchantment Peak is situated midway between Prusik Peak to its east, and Aasgard Pass and Dragontail Peak to the west. Precipitation runoff drains to Icicle Creek which is a tributary of the Wenatchee River.
Jabberwocky Tower is a 6,840-foot-elevation granite spire located in Chelan County of Washington state. Jabberwocky Tower is part of The Enchantments within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. It belongs to the Stuart Range which is subset of the Cascade Range. Jabberwocky Tower is situated east of Colchuck Lake and west of Enchantment Peak. Precipitation runoff drains into Icicle Creek, a tributary of the Wenatchee River.
Cannon Mountain is an 8,652-foot (2,637 meter) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Cannon Mountain is part of The Enchantments, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Cannon Mountain belongs to the Stuart Range which is subset of the Cascade Range. Cannon Mountain is situated one mile north of Enchantment Peak. The nearest higher peak is Dragontail Peak, 2.15 mi (3.46 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the slopes drains into Icicle Creek, which is a tributary of the Wenatchee River.
Hibox Mountain is a 6,547-foot (1,996-metre) mountain summit located in the Cascade Range in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain's name "Hibox" is a portmanteau which is derived from its position as the high point of Box Ridge. The peak is five miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, and Alta Mountain lies 1.5 miles to the west-northwest of Hibox. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Box Canyon Creek and Mineral Creek which both empty to Kachess Lake.
Snowgrass Mountain is a 7,999-foot (2,438-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Snowgrass Mountain is situated northeast of Frosty Pass and within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Snowgrass Mountain is the second-highest peak in the Chiwaukum Mountains which are a subrange of the Cascade Range. The nearest higher neighbor is Big Chiwaukum, 1.23 mi (1.98 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Snowgrass drains into tributaries of the Wenatchee River.
Colchuck Peak is an 8,705-foot (2,653-metre) mountain summit located in the Stuart Range, in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Chelan County of Washington state. The nearest higher peak is Dragontail Peak, 0.49 mi (0.79 km) to the east, and Argonaut Peak lies 0.9 mi (1.4 km) to the southwest. The Colchuck Glacier which lies on the northeast slopes of the peak melts into Colchuck Lake. The mountain and glacier take their name from the lake, which in Chinook jargon means "cold water". Precipitation runoff from the peak drains north into Mountaineer Creek, a tributary of Icicle Creek, or south into Ingalls Creek, all of which winds up in the Wenatchee River. Colchuck Peak is more notable for its steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation as topographic relief is significant with the summit rising 3,130 feet (954 m) above Colchuck Lake in 1 mi (1.6 km), and 4,600 feet (1,402 m) above Ingalls Creek in 1.9 mi (3.1 km).
Cathedral Peak is an 8,606-foot (2,623-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Grimface Mountain, 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to the north in Cathedral Provincial Park in Canada. The Pacific Northwest Trail traverses below the south slope of Cathedral Peak as it crosses Cathedral Pass. Less than a mile to the opposite side of the pass stands Amphitheater Mountain. Precipitation runoff from Cathedral Peak drains west into Cathedral Fork, or east into Cathedral Creek.
The Cradle is a prominent 7,472-foot (2,277-metre) double summit mountain located in Chelan County of Washington state. The mountain's name is derived from the depression between the two peaks of nearly identical elevation. The Cradle is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and is part of the Wenatchee Mountains, which is subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher peak is Jack Ridge, 5.7 mi (9.2 km) to the east-southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of Icicle Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Wenatchee River. The first ascent of the south peak was made in 1944 by Gene Paxton and Dwight Watson, whereas the north peak wasn't climbed until 1952 by Bill and Gene Prater.
Dungeon Peak is a 5,640+ ft mountain summit located in the Cascade Range, in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is situated northeast of Hyak, Washington, near the north end of Keechelus Lake, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Rampart Ridge, 0.66 mi (1.06 km) to the north-northeast. The mountain is set above the Gold Creek valley on the western side, and Lake Lillian on the eastern side. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Yakima River.
Alaska Mountain is a 5,745-foot (1,751-metre) mountain summit located in the Cascade Range, in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Alaska Mountain is set between Alaska Lake and Joe Lake, 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Snoqualmie Pass, and 0.81 miles (1.30 km) southeast of Mount Thomson, which is also its nearest higher peak. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses around the south, east and north slopes of Alaska Mountain, and an off-trail hike leads to the summit. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Yakima River, whereas the west side of the peak drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.
Little Big Chief Mountain is a 7,225-foot (2,202-metre) mountain summit located immediately southwest of Dutch Miller Gap, on the common border separating King County and Kittitas County in Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Little Big Chief Mountain is set ten miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the east side drains into tributaries of the Yakima River. The nearest higher peak is Summit Chief Mountain, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) to the southwest, and Chimney Rock is set 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the southwest. The first ascent of this peak was made in August 1939 by Fred Beckey, Wayne Swift, Joe Barto, and Campbell Brooks. This mountain was named for Lorenz A. Nelson during the 1925 Mountaineers climb of Summit Chief Mountain. Nelson was a pioneering mountaineer who led first ascents of Mount Olympus, Mount Meany, and Chiwawa Mountain.
Teanaway Peak is a 6,779-foot (2,066-metre) mountain summit located in the Wenatchee Mountains, on the shared border of Kittitas County with Chelan County in Washington state. It is situated on the boundary of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Bills Peak, 0.72 mi (1.16 km) to the east. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains south into tributaries of the Teanaway River, or north into Turnpike Creek which is part of the Wenatchee River drainage basin. The view from the summit of this peak showcases the impressive Mount Stuart and Stuart Range for those who climb it. This peak also goes by the name "Genes Peak", which is for Gene Prater (1929–1993), the younger brother of Bill Prater, for whom Bills Peak was named. Gene was co-inventor of the modern aluminum snowshoe, and author of the seminal book, "Snowshoeing: From Novice to Master." Gene is also credited with first ascents of Sherpa Peak, Colchuck Balanced Rock, and the east summit of Ingalls Peak.
Ladies Peak is a 7,708-foot (2,349-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Ladies Peak is situated 13 mi (21 km) west-northwest of Leavenworth, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Ladies Peak is part of the Chiwaukum Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Snowgrass Mountain, 1.27 mi (2.04 km) to the north, and Cape Horn is set 0.9 mi (1.4 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from Ladies Peak drains west to Icicle Creek, whereas the east slopes drain into Chiwaukum Creek, and both are tributaries of the Wenatchee River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since this peak rises over 4,700 feet above Icicle Creek Valley in approximately two miles. This unofficially named peak is named in association with the nearby officially named Ladies Pass, which like many geographical features in this region was named by Albert Hale Sylvester.
Edward Peak, also known as The Mole, is a 7,280-foot (2,219-metre) granite summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. It is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Edward Peak belongs to the Stuart Range which is a subset of the Cascade Range. It is situated 1.9 miles (3.1 km) north of The Temple, and the nearest town is Leavenworth, 7 miles (11 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into Icicle Creek via Rat Creek.
Wedge Mountain is a 5,860-foot-elevation (1,786-meter) summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. It is set on the boundary line of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Wedge Mountain is the northeastern terminus of the Stuart Range, which is a subset of the Cascade Range. It is situated 3.5 miles (5.6 km) northeast of The Temple, and the nearest town is Leavenworth, 5 miles (8.0 km) to the north-northeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Wenatchee River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 2,800 feet above Snow Creek in one-half mile. Backpackers hiking en route to The Enchantments via the Snow Creek Trail traverse the western foot of this mountain. Wedge Mountain is the toponym officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names for the 5,860-foot summit.