Emerald Peak (Washington)

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Emerald Peak
Emerald Peak, Chelan Mountains, WA.jpg
Emerald Peak, south aspect
Highest point
Elevation 8,422 ft (2,567 m) [1]
Prominence 742 ft (226 m) [1]
Parent peak Cardinal Peak 8,595 ft [2]
Isolation 1.13 mi (1.82 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°06′55″N120°37′44″W / 48.115151°N 120.628968°W / 48.115151; -120.628968 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Emerald Peak
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Emerald Peak
Location in the United States
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Chelan
Protected area Glacier Peak Wilderness
Parent range Chelan Mountains
North Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Saska Peak
Geology
Type of rock hornblende quartz diorite, granodiorite
Climbing
First ascent 1937, William A. Long
Easiest route class 2-3 scrambling [2]

Emerald Peak is an 8,422-foot-elevation (2,567-meter) mountain summit located in the Chelan Mountains, in Chelan County of Washington state. [3]

Contents

Description

The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Cardinal Peak, 1.1 mi (1.8 km) to the southeast, and Saska Peak is positioned 0.66 mi (1.06 km) to the west-southwest. [1] These three highest peaks of the Chelan Mountains enclose the head of North Fork Entiat River valley. Bearcat Ridge radiates from Emerald Peak one mile to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into the Chelan River and Entiat River drainage basins. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1937 by William A. Long. [4] Emerald Peak ranks as the second-highest peak in the Chelan Mountains, and 70th-highest summit in Washington state. [1]

Climate

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 North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. [5] 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. [5]

Geology

Emerald Peak is composed primarily of granodiorite and hornblende quartz diorite, minerals of the Cardinal Peak pluton. [5] The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 22.5 mi (36.2 km) west of Emerald Peak, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene. [5] 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

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

Carne Mountain is a 7,080+ ft double-summit mountain located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Carne Mountain is situated on the boundary of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Chilly Peak, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) to the northeast, and Ice Box is set 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east into Rock Creek, or west into Phelps Creek, both tributaries of the Chiwawa River. This peak can be accessed via the 3.7-mile Carne Mountain Trail which gains 3,600 feet of elevation. The mountain once had a fire lookout building on its south peak. Views from the top include Bandit Peak, Brahma Peak, Buck Mountain, Fortress Mountain, Chiwawa Mountain, Mount Maude, Ice Box, and Chilly. This mountain was named by Albert Hale Sylvester for English clergyman W. Stanely Carnes. This feature is pronounced "karn".

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

Fifth of July Mountain is a 7,696 ft (2,350 m) mountain summit located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Fifth of July Mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Chilly Peak, 3.8 miles (6.1 km) to the north-northwest, and Carne Mountain is set 4 miles (6.4 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into Rock Creek which is a tributary of the Chiwawa River, or east into Cow Creek, a tributary of the Entiat River. This geographical feature was named by surveyor Albert Hale Sylvester for the day he visited it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Bigelow (Washington)</span>

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 4 5 "Emerald Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Emerald Peak - 8,422' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  3. "Emerald Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  4. "WA 100 Highest FA Chronology".
  5. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.