Icy Peak

Last updated
Icy Peak
Icy Peak in North Cascades National Park.jpg
Icy Peak seen from Ruth Mountain
Highest point
Elevation 7,073 ft (2,156 m) [1]
Prominence 1,315 ft (401 m) [1]
Parent peak Seahpo Peak (7,441 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.54 mi (2.48 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°50′08″N121°31′32″W / 48.835643°N 121.525539°W / 48.835643; -121.525539 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Icy Peak
Location in Washington
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Icy Peak
Icy Peak (the United States)
Icy Peak
Interactive map of Icy Peak
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Whatcom
Protected area North Cascades National Park
Parent range North Cascades
Topo map USGS Mount Shuksan
Climbing
Easiest route Climbing, class 4, Glacier travel

Icy Peak is a 7,073-foot (2,156-metre) Skagit Range mountain summit located in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in North Cascades National Park at the head of Nooksack Cirque. High ridges connect it to Seahpo Peak and Mount Shuksan. An icefall occupies the northeast cirque, and small glaciers clad all sides of the peak. Precipitation runoff drains into the Nooksack and Baker Rivers.

Contents

Climate

Icy Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [3] 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. [3] 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. [3] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

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. [4] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [4] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [4]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [4] 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.

Icy Peak is a remnant of the Hannegan Caldera, a large extinct volcano.

See also

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Mount Berge is a 7,951-foot (2,423-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.

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Bandit Peak is a 7,625-foot (2,324-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 east of the crest of the Cascade Range, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Brahma Peak, 5.9 mi (9.5 km) to the north. Bandit Peak is the ninth-highest peak on Chiwawa Ridge, and other notable peaks on this ridge include Mount Berge, Buck Mountain, Cirque Mountain, Napeequa Peak, Helmet Butte, and Chiwawa Mountain. Precipitation runoff from Bandit Peak drains west into Napeequa River; or east into the Chiwawa River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Icy Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Icy Peak - 7,073' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  3. 1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. (2008). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. ISBN   978-1-59485-136-0.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.