Colonial Peak

Colonial Peak
Colonial Peak
	Colonial Peak seen from Diablo Lake overlook
Highest point
Elevation	7,771 ft (2,369 m) NGVD 29
Prominence	1,171 ft (357 m)
Coordinates	48°39′41″N121°07′16″W / 48.6615166°N 121.1212309°W
Geography
	Colonial Peak North Cascades National Park ; Whatcom County ; Washington, U.S. Colonial Peak Colonial Peak (the United States)
Parent range	North Cascades
Topo map	USGS Ross Dam
Climbing
First ascent	July 31, 1931 by William Degenhardt and Herbert Strandberg
Easiest route	West Ridge: glacier/snow climb, scramble (class 3)

Last updated January 06, 2025

Colonial Peak is a mountain in the North Cascades of Washington, United States. It rises steeply from the southwest bank of Thunder Arm of Diablo Lake, one of the artificial reservoirs on the Skagit River. It is part of a group of peaks that form the northern end of a chain running south through prized climbing destinations such as Eldorado Peak, Forbidden Peak, and Goode Mountain. Colonial Peak takes its name from the Colonial mining claim on its slopes.^[4]

Like many North Cascade peaks, Colonial Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. For example, it rises 6,560 feet (2,000 m) above Thunder Arm in only 2.3 horizontal miles (3.7 km). Its rise over the Skagit river on the northwest is even greater, but not as steep.

Colonial Peak was first climbed on July 31, 1931, by William Degenhardt and Herbert Strandberg of the Seattle Mountaineers. The standard route is the West Ridge, accessed from Colonial Glacier; the approach is via the Pyramid Lake Trail, starting from near Diablo Dam on the North Cascades Highway.^[3]

Climate

Colonial Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.^[3] 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.^[3] 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.^[3] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.^[3]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, 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] 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.

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Gabriel Peak is a prominent 7,920-foot (2,410 m)-elevation mountain summit located in North Cascades National Park, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The nearest higher neighbor is Cosho Peak, 2.7 miles (4.3 km) to the south, Beebe Mountain is set 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the north, and Red Mountain is 3 miles (4.8 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from this feature drains to Ross Lake via Gabriel and Panther Creeks. Like many North Cascade peaks, Gabriel Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 4,700 feet (1,400 m) above the Panther Creek valley in approximately one mile. This geographical feature is named after the archangel Gabriel, which is a reference to Tommy Rowland who settled in the Skagit River area in 1895 and later pronounced himself the "Prophet Elisha." Mount Prophet, Genesis Peak, and nearby Elija Ridge were also named in association with Rowland.

Little Devil Peak is a 6,985-foot-elevation (2,129 m) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is set within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness, where it is situated 3.1 miles northeast of Lookout Mountain. Little Devil is the second-highest peak of Teebone Ridge, and other peaks on this ridge include line parent Big Devil Peak, Fallen Angel, and The Trapezoid. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River. Like many North Cascades peaks, it is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 5,400 feet above Marble Creek in three miles, and the east aspect rises 4,200 feet above Newhalem Creek in approximately 1.5 mile.

References

1 2 "Colonial Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
↑ "Colonial Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
1 2 3 4 5 6 Beckey, Fred W. (1996). Cascade alpine guide, Volume 2: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass (2nd ed.). ISBN 978-0-89886-838-8.
↑ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

North Cascades National Park National Park Service
Colonial Peak weather: Mountain Forecast

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[pb-1] 1 2 "Colonial Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.

[gnis-2] "Colonial Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.

[Beckey-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beckey, Fred W. (1996). Cascade alpine guide, Volume 2: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass (2nd ed.). ISBN 978-0-89886-838-8.

[majors-4] Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.

[Kruckeberg-5] 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

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