Copper Benchmark

Last updated
Copper Benchmark
Copper Benchmark aka Copper Point.jpg
Copper Benchmark seen from Wallaby Peak
Highest point
Elevation 7,844 ft (2,391 m) [1]
Prominence 1,173 ft (358 m) [1]
Parent peak Wallaby Peak [1]
Isolation 0.9 mi (1.4 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°29′49″N120°37′43″W / 48.49683°N 120.628499°W / 48.49683; -120.628499 [2]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Copper Benchmark
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Copper Benchmark
Copper Benchmark (the United States)
Copper Benchmark
Interactive map of Copper Benchmark
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Chelan / Okanogan
Protected area Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness
Parent range Cascade Range
North Cascades
Methow Mountains
Topo map USGS McAlester Mountain
Climbing
Easiest route Scrambling class 3

Copper Benchmark, [2] also known as Copper Point, [3] is a 7,844-foot-elevation (2,391-meter) mountain summit located on the shared border between Okanogan County and Chelan County in Washington state. Copper Benchmark is part of the Methow Mountains which are a subrange of the North Cascades, and it is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range between Kangaroo Pass and Copper Pass. It was used as a triangulation station for early surveying. [3] It is protected by the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness within the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Copper Benchmark has a subsidiary peak, Pica Peak (elevation 7,565 feet (2,306 m), which is 0.52 miles (0.84 km) northwest of the summit. [3] [4] The nearest higher peak is Wallaby Peak, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to the northeast. [2] Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains to the Methow River via Early Winters Creek, whereas the other sides of the mountain drain into tributaries of the Chelan River.

Contents

Climate

Copper Benchmark is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [3] Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. [3] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. [3] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy. However, 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. [5]

Geology

The North Cascades feature 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. [6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [6] 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.

See also

Related Research Articles

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

Big Kangaroo is an 8,326-foot (2,538-metre) mountain summit in Okanogan County, Washington, United States.

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

Golden Horn is an 8,366-foot (2,550-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington, United States. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Golden Horn is situated north of Methow Pass at headwaters of the Methow River, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. It ranks as the 101st-highest summit in Washington. The nearest higher neighbor is Tower Mountain, 1.67 miles (2.69 km) to the southeast. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 3,366 feet above the West Fork Methow River in one mile (1.6 km). The first ascent of Golden Horn was made by Fred Beckey, Keith Rankin, and Charles Welsh on September 18, 1946.

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

The Needles is an 8,160-foot (2,487-metre) granite mountain located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. The Needles is situated on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,660 feet above Pine Creek in approximately 1.25 mile (2 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Tower Mountain, 2.26 miles (3.64 km) to the southwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinkhouse Peak</span> Mountain in Washington, United States of America

Hinkhouse Peak is a 7,566-foot-elevation (2,306-meter) mountain summit located on the shared border of Okanogan County and Chelan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Hinkhouse Peak is situated on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Liberty Bell Mountain, 1.52 miles (2.45 km) to the south. Hinkhouse Peak is situated north of Washington Pass, at the east end of a high ridge which connects to Cutthroat Peak. A high ridge extending northeast connects it to Constitution Crags. Most precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Early Winters Creek which is a tributary of the Methow River, but the south slope drains into a tributary of the Chelan River. Topographic relief is significant as it rises nearly 3,200 feet above Early Winters Creek in approximately one mile (1.6 km).

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

Gilbert Mountain is an 8,023-foot (2,445-metre) massif located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Methow Mountains which are a subrange of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated within the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness which is managed by Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The northwestern extreme of the Gilbert massif connects to the southern end of Kangaroo Ridge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Twisp River. Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 4,000 feet above the river in approximately one mile.

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

Blue Lake Peak is a 7,808-foot (2,380-metre) mountain summit in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest on the shared border of Okanogan County and Chelan County. The peak is situated south of Early Winters Spires, Liberty Bell Mountain, and Washington Pass. Blue Lake is set below its west slope, and Stiletto Peak is to its south. Blue Lake Peak can be seen from the North Cascades Highway at the Blue Lake Trailhead. Precipitation runoff from Blue Lake Peak drains into tributaries of the Chelan River and Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,800 feet above Early Winters Creek in one mile (1.6 km). The mountain's toponym has not been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. An alternate name, "Wamihaspi Peak," was published by mountaineer and author, Fred Beckey, in his guidebook.

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

Holliway Mountain is an 8000+ ft granite summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Holliway Mountain is situated near the headwaters of the Methow River on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Golden Horn, 0.91 miles (1.46 km) to the south. Azurite Peak is located three miles to the north-northwest.

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

Windy Peak is an 8,335-foot (2,541-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 and Cascade Range. The mountain is situated five miles (8.0 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the east side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Haystack Mountain, 9.24 miles (14.87 km) to the northwest in Canada. Precipitation runoff from Windy Peak drains into tributaries of the Methow River and Similkameen River.

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

Mount Lago is a prominent 8,745-foot (2,665-metre) mountain summit located in the Okanogan Range of the North Cascades, in Okanogan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated on the eastern side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Jack Mountain, 19.5 miles (31.4 km) to the west-southwest. Mount Lago is the highest summit of the Okanogan Range, and follows only Jack Mountain {9,075 ft} as the highest peak in the Pasayten Wilderness. Lago is the fourth-most prominent mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Pasayten River and Methow River. The mountain was named for Lage Wernstedt (1878–1959), a Forest Service surveyor who made numerous first ascents of the mountains he was mapping in the North Cascades. Lago, is a play on the way Americans pronounced his name. Lage, pronounced Loggy, had a son named Lago.

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

Mount Carru is an 8,595-foot (2,620-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the seventh-highest peak 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 Mount Lago, 0.8 mile to the east, and Osceola Peak rises one mile (1.6 km) west. The mountain has a steep north face, but the south slope is covered in scree which allows a nontechnical climbing ascent. Precipitation runoff from Mount Carru drains north into Lease Creek which is a tributary of the Pasayten River, or south into Eureka Creek, which is part of the Methow River drainage basin.

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

Wallaby Peak is a 7,995-foot (2,437-metre) mountain summit located on the boundary line of the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, in Okanogan County, Washington. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range. Wallaby Peak is situated on Kangaroo Ridge which is approximately two miles east and within view of Washington Pass. The nearest higher peak is Big Kangaroo, 0.86 mi (1.38 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Early Winters Creek, Cedar Creek, and North Fork Twisp River, all of which are tributaries of the Methow River.

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

Half Moon is a 7,960+ ft summit located in Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest, in Okanogan County, of Washington state. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range. Half Moon is situated on Kangaroo Ridge which is approximately two miles east and within view of the North Cascades Highway at Washington Pass. The nearest higher neighbor is Wallaby Peak, 0.23 mi (0.37 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Early Winters Creek, and Cedar Creek, both of which are tributaries of the Methow River.

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

Gray Peak is an 8,086-foot (2,465-metre) mountain summit located in the Methow Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades in Washington state. Situated on Sawtooth Ridge, west of Oval Lakes, Gray Peak is protected by the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness within the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Courtney Peak, 1.07 miles (1.72 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff on the south side of the mountain drains into nearby Lake Chelan via Fish Creek, whereas the north side of the mountain drains into Oval Creek, which is a tributary of the Twisp River.

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

Martin Peak is an 8,377-foot (2,553-metre) mountain summit located in the Methow Mountains, a subset of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is the seventh-highest peak in the Methow Mountains, and ranks 80th in the state of Washington. Martin Peak is set on Sawtooth Ridge, at the head of Martin Creek, on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Other peaks of Sawtooth Ridge include Oval Peak, Star Peak, Hoodoo Peak, Courtney Peak, Switchback Peak, and Mount Bigelow, which is the nearest higher neighbor, 2.06 miles (3.32 km) to the north of Martin.

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

Switchback Peak is an 8,321-foot (2,536-metre) mountain summit located in the Methow Mountains, a subset of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is the eighth-highest peak in the Methow Mountains, and ranks 95th in the state of Washington. Switchback Peak is set on Sawtooth Ridge, on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Other peaks of Sawtooth Ridge include Oval Peak, Star Peak, Hoodoo Peak, Courtney Peak, Mount Bigelow, and Martin Peak, which is the nearest higher neighbor, 0.96 miles (1.54 km) to the north.

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

Pica Peak is a 7,565-foot (2,306-metre) summit located in the Methow Mountains, a subset of the North Cascades, on the shared border between Okanogan County and Chelan County in Washington state. Pica Peak is situated 1.7 mi (2.7 km) southeast of Washington Pass, within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Copper Benchmark, 0.58 miles (0.93 km) to the southeast, and Blue Lake Peak is set 0.93 miles (1.50 km) to the west-northwest. Although modest in prominence, relief is significant as the peak rises 2,000 feet above Early Winters Basin in only 0.5 mi (1 km). Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains to the Methow River via Early Winters Creek, whereas the south side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Stehekin River.

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

Hock Mountain is a 7,750-foot-elevation summit located in the Methow Mountains which are a subset of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is situated on the triple-shared boundary of North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, as well as the shared border between Chelan County and Okanogan County. Additionally, it lies one mile southwest of Twisp Mountain, and 2.24 miles (3.60 km) due south of Stiletto Peak, the nearest higher neighbor. The north face is steep, granitic rock, but the west slope is more moderate, allowing a scramble ascent. Precipitation runoff from the north and west sides of Hock drains to the Stehekin River via Bridge Creek, whereas the south and east sides of the mountain drain into the South Fork Twisp River.

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

Mother Lode is a 7,905-foot-elevation (2,409-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Okanogan County, Washington. It is situated in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and the peak is approximately two miles east of the crest of the range. Mother Lode is set approximately six miles south of Washington Pass, and the nearest higher neighbor is Gilbert Mountain, three miles to the northeast. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,500 feet above the South Fork Twisp River in one mile. The peak was climbed in 1983 by Rick La Belle and Glen Sterr via the north ridge, and the northeast ridge was climbed in 1985 by Carl and Gordon Skoog. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of Twisp River, which in turn is a tributary of the Methow River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gardner Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington, United States

Gardner Mountain is an 8,898-foot-elevation (2,712-meter) mountain summit in Okanogan County of Washington state.

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

Mount Bigelow is an 8,449-foot-elevation (2,575-meter) mountain summit located on the border shared by Okanogan and Chelan counties in Washington state.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Copper Benchmark WA - 7,844'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2024-04-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Copper Benchmark". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 302. ISBN   978-1-59485-136-0.
  4. "Pica Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
  5. Beckey, p. 16
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.