Governors Ridge

Last updated

Governors Ridge
Governors Ridge in MRNP.jpg
Governors Ridge from the east near Tipsoo Lake
Highest point
Elevation 6,600 ft (2,012 m) [1]
Prominence 1,240 ft (378 m) [1]
Parent peak Tamanos Mountain [2]
Isolation 1.25 mi (2.01 km) [2]
Coordinates 46°51′53″N121°34′24″W / 46.86472°N 121.573252°W / 46.86472; -121.573252 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Governors Ridge
Location of Governors Ridge in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Governors Ridge
Governors Ridge (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Pierce
Protected area Mount Rainier National Park
Parent range Cascades
Topo map USGS Chinook Pass
Climbing
Easiest route Scrambling class 3

Governors Ridge [3] 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. [1] Precipitation runoff from Governors Ridge drains into tributaries of the White River and Cowlitz River. [1] 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, [4] and Barrier Peak is at the southern culmination of the ridge. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail.

Contents

Climate

Governors Ridge is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [5] 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. [5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [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]

Related Research Articles

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

Unicorn Peak is a 6,971-foot (2,125-metre) mountain summit in Lewis County of Washington state, United States. It is the highest point in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It is located in Mount Rainier National Park, south of Mount Rainier. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's small glaciers, such as Unicorn Glacier, drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River. 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.

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

Lane Peak is a 6,012-foot (1,832-metre) mountain summit in Lewis County of Washington state. It is situated 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">Chutla Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Chutla Peak is a summit in Lewis County of Washington state. It is set on the crest of the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. The peak is located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park. The mountain's name "Chutla" derives from Chinook Jargon which means "rock". Precipitation runoff from the peak drains to the Nisqually River.

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

Eagle Peak is a 5,958-foot (1,816-metre) mountain summit in Lewis County of Washington state. It is set on the west end 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, and immediately east of Longmire. Eagle Peak was originally known as Simlayshe, a Native American word meaning eagle. George Longmire anglicized the name to Eagle Peak. The four-mile Eagle Peak Trail leads to views of Mount Rainier. The summit of Eagle Peak requires scrambling. Precipitation runoff on the peak drains into the Nisqually River.

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

Antler Peak is a 7,017-foot (2,139-metre) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Sourdough Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Antler Peak is situated west of Dege Peak and northeast of Sunrise Historic District, with the Sourdough Ridge Trail traversing the south slope of Antler between the two. Mount Fremont is the nearest higher peak, 1.55 mi (2.49 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Antler Peak drains into the White River.

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

Mount Fremont is a 7,214-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. Mount Fremont is a minor peak at the southwest corner of the Sourdough Mountains which are a subset of the Cascade Range. It also the juncture for a small ridge of peaks of similar size running to the northeast. Mount Fremont is situated northwest of the Sunrise Historic District, with a popular trail leading to the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout. However, this trail does not reach the true summit which is 0.25 mi (0.40 km) north of Frozen Lake. Peak 7317, also known as Mount Fremont North, located 0.31 mi (0.50 km) west-northwest along the ridge is its nearest higher neighbor. Access is limited by snowpack closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. Precipitation runoff from Mount Fremont drains into the White River.

<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">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">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">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">Wahpenayo Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Wahpenayo Peak is a 6,231-foot (1,899-metre) mountain summit in Lewis County of Washington state, United States. It is part 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. 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">Foss Peak</span> Mountain peak in Washington, USA

Foss Peak is a 6,524-foot (1,989-metre) 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 peak is named for Thea Foss (1857–1927), who founded the Foss Maritime Company with her husband in 1889. The peak also has an alternate name, Manatee Mountain. The nearest higher neighbor is West Unicorn Peak, 0.79 miles (1.27 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

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

West Unicorn Peak is the second-highest point 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 nearest higher peak is Unicorn Peak, 0.17 miles (0.27 km) to the east-northeast. Precipitation runoff and meltwater from the peak's small glacier, Unicorn Glacier, drain into tributaries of the Cowlitz 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">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">Mother Mountain (Washington)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mother Mountain is a 6,480+ ft multi-summit, 3-mile long ridge-like mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 7 mi (11 km) northwest of the summit of Mount Rainier. The Wonderland Trail provides one approach option to this mountain, and the summit offers views of Mount Rainier. East Fay Peak is its nearest higher neighbor, 0.42 mi (0.68 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Mother Mountain is drained by Cataract Creek on the south side of the mountain, and Ipsut Creek drains the north side of it, and both are tributaries of the Carbon River. The west side drains into Mowich Lake, and thence Mowich River.

<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.

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

Mount Wow is a prominent 6,040+ ft mountain summit located in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 8.6 mi (13.8 km) southwest of the summit of Mount Rainier. Its nearest higher neighbor is Iron Mountain, 3.6 mi (5.8 km) to the east-northeast. Precipitation runoff from Mount Wow is drained by Tahoma Creek on the east side of the mountain, whereas Goat Creek drains the west side of it, and both are tributaries of the Nisqually River.

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

Crescent Mountain is a 6,715-ft ridge-like mountain located in north-central Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 6.6 mi (10.6 km) due north of the summit of Mount Rainier. Sluiskin Mountain is its nearest higher neighbor, 0.85 mi (1.37 km) to the east. Precipitation runoff from Crescent Mountain drains west into tributaries of the Carbon River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Governors Ridge, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Governors Ridge - 6,620' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  3. "Governors Ridge". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  4. "Governors Needle, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.