Helmet Butte

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Helmet Butte
Helmet Butte 7130.JPG
Southwest aspect
(Fortress Mountain behind, right)
Highest point
Elevation 7,400 ft (2,256 m) [1]
Prominence 1,000 ft (305 m) [1]
Parent peak Fortress Mountain (8,671 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.24 mi (2.00 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°08′58″N120°57′19″W / 48.1494420°N 120.9553189°W / 48.1494420; -120.9553189 Coordinates: 48°08′58″N120°57′19″W / 48.1494420°N 120.9553189°W / 48.1494420; -120.9553189 [3]
Geography
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Helmet Butte
Location of Helmet Butte in Washington
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Helmet Butte
Helmet Butte (the United States)
Location Glacier Peak Wilderness
Chelan/Snohomish Counties
Washington, U.S.
Parent range Cascade Range
North Cascades
Topo map USGS Suiattle Pass
Geology
Type of rock Granodiorite, Quartz diorite [4]
Climbing
Easiest route class 3 scrambling [2]

Helmet Butte is a 7,400+ ft (2,260+ m) summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. [3]

Contents

Description

Helmet Butte is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County and Chelan County, also straddling the boundary between the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is line parent Fortress Mountain, 0.62 mi (1.00 km) to the northeast. [1] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains southeast to Chiwawa River via Buck Creek; or west to the Suiattle River via Small Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the northern aspect of the mountain rises 2,000 feet above Small Creek in approximately one-half mile, and the south aspect rises 2,600 feet above Buck Creek in approximately one mile. This remote peak is situated immediately northeast above Buck Creek Pass, and access is via the Buck Creek Pass Trail. This geographic feature was named by Albert Hale Sylvester, a pioneer surveyor, explorer, topographer, and forest supervisor in the Cascades who named thousands of natural features. [5] He once wrote that of all the many places he had explored and visited in the Cascades he thought the most beautiful was the Buck Creek area, near Buck Creek Pass. This landform's name has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. [3]

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 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] 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 and shaped the landscape. [6] Glaciation was most prevalent approximately 18,000 years ago, and most valleys were ice-free by 12,000 years ago. [5] 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.

Subduction and tectonic activity in the area began during the late cretaceous period, about 90  million years ago. Extensive volcanic activity began to take place in the oligocene, about 35 million years ago. [7] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 7.5 mi (12.1 km) west-southwest of Helmet Butte, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene. [5] Due to Glacier Peak's proximity to Helmet Butte, volcanic ash is common in the area.

Climate

Helmet Butte is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east 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. [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]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Napeequa Peak

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Devore Peak

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North Star Mountain

North Star Mountain is an 8,096-foot (2,468-metre) mountain summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Its nearest neighbor is Cloudy Peak 0.9 mi (1.4 km) to the southwest, and the nearest higher neighbor is Bonanza Peak, 1.9 mi (3.1 km) to the northeast. North Star Mountain was originally named Bonanza Peak, and vice versa, but the USGS’ first 1904 topographic map of the region mistakenly interchanged the names. Precipitation runoff from North Star drains into Agnes Creek and Railroad Creek, both tributaries of the Chelan River.

Cirque Mountain (Washington)

Cirque Mountain is a 7,966-foot (2,428-metre) mountain summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County and Chelan County, also straddling the boundary between the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is Napeequa Peak, 0.3 mi (0.48 km) to the south. The peak is set on Chiwawa Ridge with Napeequa, and other notable peaks on this ridge include Fortress Mountain, Buck Mountain, Brahma Peak, Mount Berge, and Chiwawa Mountain. Topographic relief is significant since the western aspect of the mountain rises 4,000 feet above the Suiattle Valley in approximately 1.5 mi (2.4 km). This mountain has small, unnamed, hanging glaciers in cirques surrounding the summit. Precipitation runoff from the peak and meltwater from the glaciers drains east to the headwaters of Napeequa River; or west into the Suiattle River.

Martin Peak is an 8,511-foot (2,594-metre) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Martin Peak is situated 80 miles northeast of Seattle, and 3 mi (4.8 km) northwest of Holden, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Wenatchee National Forest. Martin Peak ranks 56th on Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 54th on the "Bulger List". The nearest higher neighbor is Bonanza Peak, 2.35 miles (3.78 km) to the west, and Riddle Peak lies 3.7 miles (6.0 km) to the east-southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain and meltwater from the glacier in the east cirque drains into nearby Lake Chelan via Railroad Creek and Company Creek. Topographic relief is significant since the southern aspect of the mountain rises 4,900 feet above the Railroad Creek Valley in approximately 2 mi (3.2 km). The first ascent of the peak was made in July 1936 by Ida Zacher Darr.

Riddle Peaks

Riddle Peaks, also known as Riddle Peak, is an 8,212-foot (2,503-metre) mountain summit located at the head of Riddle Creek in the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Riddle Peak is situated on the Glacier Peak Wilderness boundary, six miles west of Lake Chelan, and 2.5 mi (4.0 km) northeast of Holden, on land managed by the Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Flora Mountain, 2.25 miles (3.62 km) to the northeast, and Martin Peak lies 3.7 miles (6.0 km) to the west-northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Lake Chelan via Railroad Creek, Riddle Creek, and Devore Creek. Topographic relief is significant since the southern aspect of the mountain rises 5,000 feet above the Railroad Creek valley in approximately 2 mi (3.2 km). The first ascent of the peak was made September 11, 1940, by Everett and Ida Zacher Darr, Joe Leuthold, and Eldon Metzger via an easy ridge from Tenmile Pass.

Mount Berge

Mount Berge is a 7,960-foot (2,430-metre) double-summit granitic mountain located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated along the crest of the Cascade Range, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Napeequa Peak, 1.2 mi (1.9 km) to the west, and Buck Mountain is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the east-southeast. Berge is positioned on Chiwawa Ridge with Buck and Napeequa, and other notable peaks on this ridge include Fortress Mountain, Brahma Peak, Cirque Mountain, Helmet Butte, and Chiwawa Mountain. Precipitation runoff from Berge drains to the headwaters of Napeequa River; or east into tributaries of the Chiwawa River. This peak was named to remember Richard Waldo Berge who perished while climbing Baring Mountain on July 16, 1952. Berge was climbing with Fred Beckey at the time of the accident. Beckey's Cascade Alpine Guide credits Richard Berge wth several first ascents in the Cascades.

Bandit Peak

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Mount Saul

Mount Saul is a prominent 7,293-foot (2,223-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Mount Saul is the fourth-highest point on Wenatchee Ridge, a subrange which also includes Indian Head Peak, Whittier Peak, Mount David, and Mount Jonathan. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount David, 3.1 mi (5.0 km) to the south-southeast. Precipitation runoff from Mount Saul drains into tributaries of the White River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since the south aspect of Mt. Saul rises 4,000 feet above the Indian Creek Valley in a little more than one mile. This peak was named for the biblical Saul because of its gloomy appearance by Albert Hale Sylvester, a pioneer surveyor, explorer, topographer, and forest supervisor in the Cascades who named thousands of natural features.

Carne Mountain

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".

Rhino Butte

Rhino Butte is a remote 6,914-foot-elevation summit located in Whatcom County of Washington, United States. 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, Rhino 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 4,350 feet (1,325 meters) above McMillan Creek in one mile, and the south aspect rises 4,700 feet (1,432 meters) above Stetattle Creek in two miles. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the Skagit River via these two creeks. The nearest higher neighbor is Elephant Butte, 1.27 mile to the east-northeast, with Hippo Butte (6,889 ft) between the two. A high alpine ridge connects Rhino to McMillan Spire, 1.7 mile to the west-southwest, and Azure Lake lies below this ridge. The first ascent of the summit was made October 15, 1978, by John Roper. This geographical feature's name has not yet been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

North Big Bosom Butte

North Big Bosom Butte is a 6,384-foot (1,946-metre) mountain summit located in Whatcom County of Washington state.

Mount Crowder (Washington)

Mount Crowder is a remote 7,082-foot (2,159-metre) mountain summit in the Picket Range of the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state. Mount Crowder is situated in North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness. Neighbors include Mount Fury, 1.64 mi (2.64 km) to the northeast, and Twin Needles is set 2.3 mi (3.7 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from this peak drains south into headwaters of Goodell Creek, and northwest into Picket Creek which is a tributary of the Baker River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 4,300 feet (1,310 meters) above Goodell Creek in approximately one mile.

Mount Buckindy

Mount Buckindy is a remote 7,320-foot-elevation mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is the second-highest point of the Buckindy Range, or Buckindy Ridge. It is set in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It is situated 20 miles east-northeast of Darrington, Washington, and 17 miles north-northwest of Glacier Peak which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. Precipitation runoff from Mount Buckindy drains south to the Suiattle River via Buck Creek and Downey Creek, and north to the Cascade River via Kindy Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 4,700 feet (1,433 meters) above Kindy Creek in less than two miles. The mountain's toponym is a portmanteau of Buck and Kindy Creeks, and has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Helmet Butte, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Helmet Butte - 7,420' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  3. 1 2 3 "Helmet Butte". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  4. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1220 (1981), Intrusive Rocks of the Holden and Lucerne Quadrangles, Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, p. 38
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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.
  7. "North Cascades Geology". United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.