Corteo Peak

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Corteo Peak
Corteo Peak 2016.jpg
Corteo Peak seen from North Cascades Highway
Highest point
Elevation 8,107 ft (2,471 m) [1]
Prominence 652 ft (199 m) [1]
Parent peak Black Peak (8,970 ft) [1]
Isolation 1.67 mi (2.69 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°30′16″N120°47′18″W / 48.504453°N 120.788326°W / 48.504453; -120.788326 [2]
Geography
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Corteo Peak
Location of Corteo Peak in Washington
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Corteo Peak
Corteo Peak (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Chelan
Protected area North Cascades National Park
Stephen Mather Wilderness [1]
Parent range North Cascades
Topo map USGS Mount Arriva
Climbing
First ascent July 1935, John Lehmann and Hermann Ulrichs [3]
Easiest route Scrambling, class 4 [1]

Corteo Peak is an 8,107-foot (2,471-metre) mountain summit located on the eastern boundary line of North Cascades National Park in Washington state. It is situated west of Rainy Pass in the North Cascades Range. Remnants of the retreating Lewis Glacier hang on its north flank. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 3,200 feet (980 meters) above Maple Creek in one mile (1.6 km) and 2,400 feet (730 meters) above Lewis Lake in one-half mile (0.8 km). The nearest higher peak is Black Peak, 1.67 miles (2.69 km) to the northwest. [2] Corteo Peak and nearby Mount Benzarino were named by Forest Service surveyor, Lage Wernstedt, after Basque sheepherders he met near these two mountains. [4]

Contents

Climate

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

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. 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.

See also

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

Mount Benzarino is a 7,760+ ft mountain summit located in North Cascades National Park, in Chelan County of Washington state. It is situated in the North Cascades, a subset of the Cascade Range. The nearest higher neighbor is Corteo Peak, 1.67 miles (2.69 km) to the northeast, and Black Peak is set 2.34 miles (3.77 km) to the north.

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

Lookout Mountain is a 5,699-foot (1,737 m) summit in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is located five miles (8.0 km) east-northeast of the town of Marblemount, and set on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Teebone Ridge, two miles (3.2 km) to the east-northeast. At the top of Lookout Mountain is a historic US Forest Service lookout station that was built in 1962, which replaced a 1929 structure. Views from the top include Sauk Mountain to the west, with Eldorado Peak and the Picket Range in North Cascades National Park to the east and north respectively. The peak is just one mile outside the park boundary. Access is via a 4.7-mile (7.6 km) trail which gains over 4,400 feet (1,341 m) of elevation. Precipitation runoff from Lookout Mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Corteo Peak - 8,107' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  2. 1 2 3 "Corteo Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. June Burn, Bellingham Herald, January 27, 1932
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.