Elephant Butte (Washington)

Elephant Butte
Elephant Butte
	Elephant Butte
Highest point
Elevation	7,380 ft (2,250 m)
Prominence	1,060 ft (320 m)
Parent peak	McMillan Spire (8,004 ft)
Isolation	3.06 mi (4.92 km)
Coordinates	48°47′33″N121°13′07″W / 48.79251°N 121.21861°W
Geography
	Elephant Butte Location in Washington Elephant Butte Location in the United States
Location	North Cascades National Park ; Whatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range	Cascades Range ; North Cascades ; Picket Range
Topo map	USGS Mount Prophet
Climbing
Easiest route	Scrambling

Last updated January 07, 2024

Elephant Butte is a remote 7,380-foot-elevation summit located in Whatcom County of Washington, United States.^[3] It is situated within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness, and is part of the Picket Range, a subset of the North Cascades. Like many North Cascades peaks, Elephant Butte is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 5,200 feet (1,600 meters) above McMillan Creek in one mile, and the south aspect rises 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) above Stetattle Creek in two miles. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the Skagit River via these two creeks. This geographical feature's name has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

Climate

Elephant Butte 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 (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.^[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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger.^[4]

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.

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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Pierce Mountain is a 4,973+ ft summit in the North Cascades Range of Washington, United States. It is located within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness. It is situated above Ross Dam, at the eastern culmination of Sourdough Mountain. Like many North Cascade peaks, Pierce Mountain is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Skagit River via Pierce Creek and Ross Lake.

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Hagan Mountain is a multi-peak mountain located in Whatcom County, Washington state, within North Cascades National Park. It has an elevation of 7,080-foot (2,160-metre). The mountain is situated approximately 12 mi (19 km) north of Marblemount.

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Indian Mountain is a remote 7,133-foot (2,174-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state. Indian Mountain is situated in North Cascades National Park, 7 miles south of the Canada–United States border. Its nearest higher neighbor is Red Face Mountain, 1.14 mi (1.83 km) to the southeast, and Whatcom Peak rises 2.9 mi (4.7 km) to the south. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since this peak rises over 4,100 feet above Brush Creek Valley in approximately one mile. Precipitation runoff from Indian Mountain drains into tributaries of the Chilliwack River.

Yellow Aster Butte is a 6,241-foot (1,902-metre) Skagit Range summit located three miles south of the Canada–United States border, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated within the Mount Baker Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Winchester Mountain, 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the east, and Mount Larrabee is set 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the northeast. The summit offers views of Mount Larrabee, Tomyhoi Peak, American Border Peak, Canadian Border Peak, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Baker. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains into Tomyhoi Creek, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into Damfino Creek, and the south slope is drained by Swamp Creek.

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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.

Damnation Peak is a 5,635-foot-elevation (1,718 m) mountain summit located in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated within North Cascades National Park, Stephen Mather Wilderness, and Whatcom County. Like many North Cascades peaks, Damnation Peak 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 2,800 feet above Damnation Creek in approximately 1.5 mile, and the north aspect rises 3,000 feet above Triumph Creek in one mile. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into these tributaries of the Skagit River. Neighbors include Mount Triumph, 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to the north-northeast, and Trappers Peak is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to the east-northeast. The town of Newhalem is six miles to the east. In 1938, Lloyd Anderson climbed a nearby summit which is known today as Thornton Peak and called it "Damnation."

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

References

1 2 3 "Elephant Butte, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
1 2 "Elephant Butte - 7,380' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.
↑ "Elephant Butte". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-07-28.
1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. (1996). Cascade Alpine Guide, Volume 2: Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass (2nd ed.). ISBN 978-0-89886-838-8.
1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

Weather forecast: Elephant Butte
North Cascades National Park National Park Service
Aerial photo of north face PBase

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[pb-1] 1 2 3 "Elephant Butte, Washington". Peakbagger.com.

[listsofjohn-2] 1 2 "Elephant Butte - 7,380' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-10-11.

[gnis-3] "Elephant Butte". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-07-28.

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

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

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