Easy Peak

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Easy Peak
Copper Ridge to Easy Peak.jpg
Northwest aspect seen from Copper Ridge
(Picket Range behind)
Highest point
Elevation 6,613 ft (2,016 m) [1]
Prominence 373 ft (114 m) [1]
Parent peak Mineral Mountain (6,800+ ft) [2]
Isolation 1.98 mi (3.19 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°51′34″N121°25′13″W / 48.859485°N 121.420209°W / 48.859485; -121.420209 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Easy Peak
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
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Easy Peak
Easy Peak (the United States)
Location North Cascades National Park
Whatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range Cascade Range
North Cascades
Skagit Range
Topo map USGS Mount Blum
Climbing
Easiest route class 2 hiking

Easy Peak is a 6,613-foot (2,016-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state. [3] [4] Easy Peak is situated in North Cascades National Park, and is often climbed during the Easy Ridge approach to Mount Challenger and the remote northern Pickets. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mineral Mountain, 2 mi (3.2 km) to the west, and Whatcom Peak is set 2.1 mi (3.4 km) to the east. [1] Glacierets line the north slope of Easy Ridge between Easy Peak and Whatcom Peak. Precipitation runoff from this peak drains north into the Chilliwack River, or south into headwaters of the Baker River.

Contents

Climate

Easy Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] 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. 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. [4] 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. [4] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

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. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

Easy Peak centered, from north Copper Ridge - Easy Peak.jpg
Easy Peak centered, from north

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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Elija Ridge is a prominent 7,739 ft (2,360 m) ridge located in North Cascades National Park, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The highest point is called Elija Peak, and another peak on this ridge with sufficient prominence to qualify as a separate summit is called Ezekiel,. The nearest higher neighbor is Gabriel Peak, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) to the southeast, Beebe Mountain is set 1.86 miles (2.99 km) to the northeast, and Ruby Mountain is 4.86 miles (7.82 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from this ridge drains to Ross Lake via Panther Creek. This geographical feature is named after the prophet Elija, which is a reference to Tommy Rowland who settled in the Skagit River area in 1895 and later pronounced himself the "Prophet Elisha." Gabriel Peak, Genesis Peak, and Mount Prophet are also named in association with Rowland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackita Ridge</span>

Jackita Ridge is a prominent 7,350 ft (2,240 m) ridge located in the Pasayten Wilderness, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is part of the Hozameen Range which is a subset of the North Cascades. The highest point is called Jackita Peak, and the Jackita Ridge Trail traverses below the west aspect of this summit, providing access for an off-trail scramble to the top. The nearest higher neighbor is Crater Mountain, 3.9 miles (6.3 km) to the southwest, Jack Mountain is set 4.77 miles (7.68 km) to the west, and McKay Ridge is 5.7 miles (9.2 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from this ridge drains to Ross Lake via Devils Creek and Canyon Creek, which are part of the Skagit River drainage basin. The first ascent may have been made in 1926 by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, which placed a Jackita benchmark.

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

Majestic Mountain is a 7,530-foot-elevation (2,300-meter) mountain summit located in Whatcom County in Washington state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Face Mountain</span>

Red Face Mountain is a 7,141-foot-elevation (2,177-meter) summit in Whatcom County of Washington state.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Easy Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Easy Peak - 6,613' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  3. "Easy Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. (2008). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. ISBN   978-1-59485-136-0.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.