Cowlitz Chimneys

Last updated
Cowlitz Chimneys
North Cowlitz Chimney seen from State Route 123, Mount Rainier National Park.jpg
North Cowlitz Chimney seen from State Route 123
Highest point
Elevation 7,605 ft (2,318 m) [1]
Prominence 965 ft (294 m) [1]
Parent peak Little Tahoma Peak (11,138 ft) [2]
Isolation 4.84 mi (7.79 km) [2]
Coordinates 46°50′56″N121°36′34″W / 46.848877°N 121.609409°W / 46.848877; -121.609409
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Cowlitz Chimneys
Location of Cowlitz Chimneys in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Cowlitz Chimneys
Cowlitz Chimneys (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Pierce
Protected area Mount Rainier National Park
Parent range Cascades
Topo map USGS Chinook Pass
Geology
Type of rock Rhyolite
Climbing
First ascent 1915 by The Mountaineers [3]
Easiest route Scrambling class 3

Cowlitz Chimneys are a group of four rhyolite towers located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. [4] As part of the Cascade Range, the Cowlitz Chimneys are situated southwest of Tamanos Mountain and east of Banshee Peak, all of which are visible from the Sunrise Historic District. The Sarvant Glacier is set on the north aspect of these remnants of a volcanic plug. Cowlitz is the name of several geographical features in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as the state of Washington. The name appeared as early as the Lewis and Clark journals of 1805 when it was written as "Cowliskee" and has the Chinook Jargon meaning of "capturing the medicine spirit". [5]

Contents

Climate

Cowlitz Chimneys Sunrise Area, Cowlitz Chinmeys.jpg
Cowlitz Chimneys

The Cowlitz Chimneys are 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, 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 snow onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the 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. 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] Precipitation runoff from Cowlitz Chimneys drains into the Cowlitz River. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

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

Unicorn Peak is the highest point in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located in Mount Rainier National Park, south of Mount Rainier. The descriptive name is for the mountain's resemblance to the head and horn of a unicorn. The toponym was officially adopted in 1913 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's small glaciers, such as Unicorn Glacier, drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

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

Lane Peak is a mountain summit in the U.S. state of Washington, on the crest of the Tatoosh Range, which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It is located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park.

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

Stevens Peak is a 6,560-foot (1,999-metre) mountain summit in Lewis County, Washington, United States.

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

Seymour Peak is a 6,337-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated southeast of Cayuse Pass and northeast of Shriner Peak. Its nearest higher neighbor is Dewey Peak, 0.79 mi (1.27 km) to the east. Precipitation runoff from Seymour Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River. Seymour Peak is named after William Wolcott Seymour (1861-1929), mayor of Tacoma, Washington, from 1911 to 1914. He was also a philanthropist, mountaineer, and a contributor to the scouting movement. This landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1932 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

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

Shriner Peak is a 5,834-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated south of Cayuse Pass, southwest of Seymour Peak, and southeast of Double Peak. A four mile trail leads from Highway 123 to the Shriner Peak Fire Lookout at the top of the mountain. Precipitation runoff from Shriner Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

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

Yakima Peak is a 6,226-ft summit located on the eastern border of Mount Rainier National Park. It is also on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Yakima Peak is situated northwest of Tipsoo Lake and west of Chinook Pass on the crest of the Cascade Range. Yakima Peak is a major triple divide point with precipitation runoff draining into tributaries of the White River, Cowlitz River, and Yakima River. Its nearest higher neighbor is Deadwood Peak, 0.59 mi (0.95 km) to the north. The name Yakima Peak honors the Yakima Tribe of eastern Washington state. From Chinook Pass, a short scramble up a gully on the north side leads to a flat summit with unobstructed views of Mount Rainier and Naches Peak.

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

Tamanos Mountain is a 6,790-foot (2,070 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range. Tamanos Mountain is situated west of Governors Ridge and northeast of the Cowlitz Chimneys, all of which can be seen from the Sunrise Historic District. The name tamanos derives from Chinook Jargon and has the meaning of guardian spirit. This landform's toponym was officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 1932. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,100 feet above the White River in approximately 1.5 mile. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail, and from the lakes scrambling up the south slope to the summit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governors Ridge</span> Part of Cascade Range in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington state

Governors Ridge is located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated west of Cayuse Pass and 1.09 mile east of Tamanos Mountain, which is the nearest higher peak. Precipitation runoff from Governors Ridge drains into tributaries of the White River and Cowlitz River. The toponym honors all the governors who have served the state of Washington. The highest rocky crag on the ridge is known as Governors Peak. There is also a 40-foot leaning spire known as Governors Needle, and Barrier Peak is at the southern culmination of the ridge. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail.

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

Sluiskin Mountain is a prominent pair of summits located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is situated northwest of Burroughs Mountain and is part of the Cascade Range. The higher rocky peak is known as The Chief (7026 ft), and the second peak to the west is known as The Squaw. West of The Squaw are pinnacles called The Papooses. Sluiskin was the native American guide who assisted with the first successful ascent of Mount Rainier by Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump in 1870. Sluiskin Falls within the park also honors him.

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

Banshee Peak is a 7,420-foot (2,262-metre) mountain summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state, US. As part of the Cascade Range, Banshee Peak is situated west of the Cowlitz Chimneys and east of Panhandle Gap, with the Sarvant Glacier set below its north cliff. Precipitation runoff from Banshee Peak drains into tributaries of the White River and the Cowlitz River. Banshee Peak is a high remnant of bedded Ohanapecosh Formation lava flows. Access is from Panhandle Gap via the Wonderland Trail. The broad summit has alpine tundra similar to that found on Burroughs Mountain. The Sunrise Historic District provides a viewpoint from which to see Banshee Peak when weather permits. The road to Sunrise is only open seasonally in the summer due to closure from winter snowpack.

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

Double Peak is a 6,199-foot (1,889 m) double summit mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. Part of the Cascade Range, it is situated northwest of Shriner Peak, south of Governors Ridge, and southeast of the Cowlitz Chimneys. Precipitation runoff from Double Peak drains into the Ohanapecosh River which is a tributary of the Cowlitz River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,400 feet above the Ohanapecosh in one mile (1.6 km). The mountain's descriptive toponym was officially adopted in 1932 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

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

The Castle is the descriptive name for a summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It is located in Lewis County of Washington state. Situated in Mount Rainier National Park, The Castle is 0.2 mile immediately east of Pinnacle Peak. Precipitation runoff from The Castle drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

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

Barrier Peak is a small 6,521-foot (1,988-metre) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated west of Cayuse Pass, 0.53 mile west-northwest of Buell Peak, and 0.4 mile south-southwest of Governors Ridge, which is its nearest higher peak. Precipitation runoff from Barrier Peak drains into tributaries of the White River and Cowlitz River. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. The peak was so named because it served as a barrier between the Cayuse Pass region and the rest of Mount Rainier National Park.

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

Denman Peak is a small 6,006 ft summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park. Denman Peak is situated east of Lane Peak and west of Pinnacle Peak.

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

Wahpenayo Peak is a 6,231-foot summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It is located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park, in Lewis County of Washington state. The mountain is named for Wahpenayo, a native American chief who was the father-in-law of Indian Henry. Precipitation runoff on the south and east side of the peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River, whereas the north side drains into tributaries of the Nisqually River.

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

Buell Peak is a small 5,756 ft summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated 1.5 miles southwest of Cayuse Pass and 0.53 mile east-southeast of Barrier Peak, which is the nearest higher peak. Precipitation runoff from Buell Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. The peak's toponym honors John Latimore Buell who arrived in Orting, Washington, in 1890 and went into the hardware business.

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

Copper Mountain is a 6,302-foot (1,921-metre) mountain summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. Part of the Cascade Range, it is situated near the base of the Success Cleaver, overlooking Indian Henry's Hunting Ground. Its nearest neighbor is Iron Mountain 0.3 miles (0.48 km) to the south, and the nearest higher peak is Pyramid Peak, one mile (1.6 km) to the northeast. The summit provides views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and peaks of the Tatoosh Range. Precipitation runoff from Copper Mountain drains into Tahoma Creek and Fishers Horn Pipe Creek, which are both tributaries of the Nisqually River. There were great hopes in the late 1800s that mines on Mount Rainier could be a source of precious metals such as copper, silver, and gold. This landform's toponym was officially adopted in 1932 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

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

Old Desolate is a 7,137-foot (2,175 m) multi-summit, ridge-like mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies five miles (8.0 km) due north of the summit of Mount Rainier. The Wonderland Trail provides an approach to this mountain, and the summit offers views of Sluiskin Mountain and Mount Rainier. Burroughs Mountain is the nearest higher neighbor, 2.37 mi (3.81 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from Old Desolate drains east into the West Fork White River, or west into the Carbon River.

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

Goat Island Mountain is a 7,288-foot (2,221 m) ridge-like mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 5.76 mi (9.27 km) east-northeast of the summit of Mount Rainier. This mountain is quite visible from the Sunrise Historic District and the many trails surrounding the Sunrise area. The Wonderland Trail provides an approach to this mountain, and the summit offers views of Cowlitz Chimneys, Fryingpan Glacier, and Mount Rainier. Burroughs Mountain is its nearest higher neighbor, 2.51 mi (4.04 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from Goat Island Mountain drains into the White River. The mountain's descriptive name derives from mountain goats that were often seen on the peak. The toponym was officially adopted in 1932 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

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

Fay Peak is a double-summit mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies seven miles (11 km) northwest of the summit of Mount Rainier. The 6,492-foot elevation summit of Fay Peak lies a quarter-mile west of the highest point, East Fay Peak, 6,520+ ft. Echo Rock is its nearest higher neighbor, 2.7 mi (4.3 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from Fay Peak is drained by Cataract Creek on the east side of the mountain, and the west side drains into Mowich Lake and Mowich River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Cowlitz Chimneys, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Cowlitz Chimneys, South- 7,605' WA". listsofjohn.com. 49134. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  3. 1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. "Cowlitz Chimneys". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  5. Mount Rainier National Park Place Names. Gary Fuller Reese (author), 2009.
  6. "Cowlitz Chimneys-Third Chimney, Washington". Peakbagger.com.