Helen Buttes

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Helen Buttes
Helen Buttes seen from North Cascades Highway.jpg
Helen Buttes seen from North Cascades Highway
Highest point
Elevation 5,560 ft (1,695 m) [1]
Prominence 2,040 ft (622 m) [1]
Coordinates 48°34′15″N121°29′43″W / 48.570709°N 121.495407°W / 48.570709; -121.495407 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Helen Buttes
Location in Washington
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Helen Buttes
Helen Buttes (the United States)
Helen Buttes
Interactive map of Helen Buttes
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Skagit
Protected area Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness
Parent range Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Marblemount
Geology
Rock age Early Cretaceous [2]
Rock type Greenschist [2]
Climbing
Easiest route Scrambling

Helen Buttes are two prominent summits near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. [3] The buttes are located four miles northwest of Marblemount, Washington, in the Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness, on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Diobsud Buttes, 3.11 miles (5.01 km) to the north. [1] Precipitation runoff from Helen Buttes drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.

Contents

Climate

Helen Buttes is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean move 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. [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

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. [6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [6] 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.

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Sauk Mountain is a 5,545-foot (1,690-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is situated immediately north of Rockport State Park and the North Cascades Highway, on land managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Part of the North Cascades, Sauk Mountain is positioned west of the crest of the Cascade Range, approximately nine miles east of Concrete, Washington, and 17 miles north of the town of Darrington. The nearest higher peak is Helen Buttes, 5.86 miles (9.43 km) to the northeast. A popular two-mile trail provides hikers with good views from the craggy summit of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Chaval, and the Picket Range. Precipitation runoff from Sauk Mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.

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Skagit Peak is a 6,824-foot (2,080-metre) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated on the western side of the Cascade crest, at the western edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Skagit Peak is part of the Hozameen Range, a subset of the North Cascades which also includes Hozomeen Mountain to the north, and Jack Mountain to the south. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into the Skagit River via Three Fools Creek and Ross Lake.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Helen Buttes, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 Geologic map of the North Cascade Range, Washington, Haugerud, R.A., and Tabor, R.W., US Geological Survey, 2009.
  3. "Helen Buttes". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-07-27.
  4. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  5. 1 2 Beckey, p. 16
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.