Fisher Peak (Washington)

Fisher Peak
Fisher Peak
	Fisher Peak seen from the North Cascades Highway
Highest point
Elevation	8,087 ft (2,465 m)
Prominence	835 ft (255 m)
Parent peak	Mount Arriva (8,215 ft)
Isolation	1.02 mi (1.64 km)
Coordinates	48°32′43″N120°49′26″W / 48.54528°N 120.82389°W
Geography
	Fisher Peak Location in Washington Fisher Peak Fisher Peak (the United States)
	Interactive map of Fisher Peak
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Chelan / Skagit
Protected area	North Cascades National Park ; Stephen Mather Wilderness
Parent range	North Cascades ; Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Mount Arriva
Geology
Rock age	Late Cretaceous
Rock type	Tonalitic pluton
Climbing
First ascent	1940, Fred Beckey, Jim Crooks, Ed Kennedy
Easiest route	Scrambling

Last updated November 26, 2024

Fisher Peak is an 8,087-foot-elevation (2,465-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated on the boundaries of the Stephen Mather Wilderness and North Cascades National Park,^[1] midway between Black Peak and Easy Pass, and adjacent to Repulse Peak. Precipitation runoff from Fisher Peak's north and east slopes drains to Fisher Creek and Granite Creek which flow to the Skagit River, whereas the west slope drains into tributaries of the Stehekin River. Topographic relief is significant as the east aspect rises approximately 2,100 feet (640 meters) in less than one-half mile (0.8 km). The mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.^[3]

Climate

Fisher Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[6]

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.^[7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.^[7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.^[7]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.^[7] 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.

Gallery

Fisher Peak (center) with Black Peak (left) and Graybeard Peak (right) seen from the Pacific Crest Trail above Swamp Creek

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Syncline Mountain is a 7,560-foot (2,300-metre) mountain summit located on the shared border between Okanogan County and Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades, and is situated on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest neighbor is Tatie Peak, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the north, and the nearest higher neighbor is Mount Ballard, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) to the west. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the east slope of the peak, with an off-trail scramble to reach the summit. Precipitation runoff from Syncline Mountain drains east into Trout Creek which is a tributary of the Methow River, or northwest into Slate Creek, which is part of the Skagit River drainage basin. This unofficially named mountain features a conspicuous syncline, hence its descriptive name.

References

1 2 3 4 5 "Fisher Peak WA - 8,087'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
1 2 "Fisher Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
1 2 "Fisher Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-04-04.
1 2 Geologic map of the North Cascade Range, Washington, Haugerud, R.A., and Tabor, R.W., US Geological Survey, 2009.
1 2 Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-59485-136-0.
1 2 Beckey, p. 16
1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

Weather forecast: Fisher Peak

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[listsofjohn-1] 1 2 3 4 5 "Fisher Peak WA - 8,087'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2024-04-03.

[pb-2] 1 2 "Fisher Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.

[gnis-3] 1 2 "Fisher Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-04-04.

[USGS-4] 1 2 Geologic map of the North Cascade Range, Washington, Haugerud, R.A., and Tabor, R.W., US Geological Survey, 2009.

[becky-5] 1 2 Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-59485-136-0.

[Beckey_16-6] 1 2 Beckey, p. 16

[Kruckeberg-7] 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

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