Monte Cristo Peak | |
---|---|
![]() Northwest aspect from Glacier Basin | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 7,136 ft (2,175 m) NGVD 29 [1] |
Prominence | 576 ft (176 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Kyes Peak [1] |
Coordinates | 47°58′17″N121°20′28″W / 47.9714964°N 121.3412177°W [2] |
Geography | |
Snohomish County, Washington, U.S. | |
Parent range | Cascade Range |
Topo map | USGS Blanca Lake |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1923 by James M. Keyes and W. Zerum [3] |
Monte Cristo Peak is a mountain peak in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in Washington state. Together with Columbia Peak and Kyes Peak it forms a basin that contains Columbia Glacier and Blanca Lake. [4] The 1918 edition of The Mountaineer called the mountain "a huge pile of red rock." [3]
Monte Cristo is named for the mining boom town of Monte Cristo, [3] which dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and which is situated on the mountain's northwestern flank. The town was owned by J. D. Rockefeller for a few years. A railroad and cable tramway was built to move materials.
Monte Cristo Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast 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] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C). [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] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [5]
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. 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] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 14.3 mi (23.0 km) northeast of Monte Cristo Peak, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene. [5] 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.
Kyes Peak, which is also known as "Goblin Peak", is a mountain peak located in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in Washington, United States. Kyes Peak rises to over 7,280 feet (2,220 m). Together with Columbia Peak and Monte Cristo Peak it forms a basin that contains Columbia Glacier and Blanca Lake. It is the highest summit in the Monte Cristo group of peaks.
Columbia Peak is a mountain peak in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in the U.S. state of Washington. Columbia Peak rises to 7,172 feet (2,186 m). Together with Monte Cristo Peak and Kyes Peak it forms a basin that contains Columbia Glacier and Blanca Lake.
Sahale Mountain is a jagged, glaciated mountain, in North Cascades National Park, in northern Washington state. The summit of Sahale Mountain is referred to as Sahale Peak. It is 0.3 miles (0.48 km) south of its higher neighbor, Boston Peak, and the saddle between the two is 80 feet (24 m) lower than Sahale's summit. Quien Sabe Glacier is to the west of the ridge between the two peaks while Davenport Glacier is in a cirque east of this ridge and above Horseshoe Basin. Sahale Glacier is south of the summit and east of Sahale Arm, a ridge that extends southwest from Sahale to Cascade Pass. The name Sahale may originate from a Northwest Native American word meaning "high place," "falcon," or "sacred."
Buckner Mountain is a tall peak in the North Cascades of Washington state and in the Stephen Mather Wilderness of North Cascades National Park. At 9,114 feet (2,778 m) in elevation it is the highest in Skagit County and one of about ten of Washington's non-volcanic peaks above 9,000 feet high. It is ranked as the 14th highest peak in the state, and the third highest peak in North Cascades National Park.
Mount Redoubt is a mountain in the North Cascades range in Whatcom County, Washington state. The peak is located 3.0 miles (5 km) from the Canada–US border, 16.3 miles (26 km) east-northeast of Mount Shuksan. It is the 21st highest peak in the state, with a height of 8,956 feet (2,730 m) and a prominence of 1,649 feet (503 m). Redoubt is in the Skagit Range, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in the Custer-Chilliwack Group which includes Mount Spickard, Mount Redoubt, Mount Custer and Mox Peaks, among others. Redoubt, Bear, and Depot creeks drain off the mountain, which is composed of Skagit gneiss. Mount Redoubt is listed as one of the "Classic Eight Peaks" in the North Cascades.
Bacon Peak is a mountain located in North Cascades National Park, in the Cascade range in the U.S. state of Washington. Its glaciers cover 1.2 square miles (3.2 km2); the three main glaciers are Diobsud Creek Glacier, Green Lake Glacier and Noisy Creek Glacier.
Forbidden Peak is an 8,815 feet (2,687 m) glacial horn located in North Cascades National Park, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades and is located near Cascade Pass. Forbidden Peak features a rock climbing route named West Ridge route which is featured in Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. The peak was first climbed by a party consisting of Fred Beckey, his brother Helmy Beckey, Jim Crooks, Lloyd Anderson and Dave Lind in 1940.
Klawatti Peak is located in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Klawatti Peak is a nunatak, a peak surrounded by glaciers. These are Klawatti Glacier to the east, McAllister Glacier to the northwest and Inspiration Glacier to the south.
Sinister Peak is in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests in the U.S. state of Washington. It is situated in Glacier Peak Wilderness and the North Cascades. Not quite 1 mi (1.6 km) east of Dome Peak, Sinister Peak is along a high ridge connecting the two peaks. The Chickamin Glacier is on the north slopes of Sinister Peak while the Garden Glacier is just southeast. Though some of the routes to the summit are technical, it can be reached by a moderate scramble.
Whatcom Peak is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Whatcom Peak is .50 mi (0.80 km) north of Challenger Glacier and the Whatcom Glacier descends from the northeast slopes of the peak. An unnamed hanging glacier descends along the northwest flank of the peak. This mountain is set between Mount Challenger and Easy Peak.
Stillaguamish Peak is a 5,720+ ft mountain summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located five miles north-northwest of Barlow Pass near the Monte Cristo area, and is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It rises 4,000 feet (1,200 m) above the Stillaguamish River and the Mountain Loop Highway.
Del Campo Peak is a prominent summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located south of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain is named for a mining claim on the mountain's slope. The nearest peak is Gothic Peak, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) to the southwest, and Foggy Pass is the low point between the two peaks. Foggy Lake lies in Gothic Basin below the south face of Del Campo Peak and collects precipitation runoff which ultimately drains to South Fork Sauk River via Weden Creek. Runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into the Sultan River, and the north side drains into headwaters of the Stillaguamish River. In terms of favorable weather, the best months for climbing are July through September.
Sheep Mountain is a 6,166-foot-elevation (1,879-meter) summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located one mile east of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Back in the old mining days of the late 1800s, the long sub-range stretching from Cadet Peak to Sheep Mountain was known as Pride of the Mountains Range. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk River.
Mount Misch is a remote 7,435 ft mountain summit in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is the highest point of the Buckindy Range, or Buckindy Ridge. It is located 19 miles east-northeast of Darrington, Washington, and 15 miles north-northwest of Glacier Peak which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. It is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Misch was named by mountaineer and author Fred Beckey for his friend Peter Misch (1909-1987), University of Washington geology professor and mountaineer, who was renowned for his study of the North Cascades. Precipitation runoff from Mount Misch and the unnamed Goat Creek glacier on its east slope drains into tributaries of the Suiattle River and ultimately the Skagit River.
Cadet Peak is a 7,186 ft mountain summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. The peak is located southeast of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway, and two miles east of the historic Monte Cristo area. It is situated within the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain was originally called Foggy Peak, for the Foggy Mine claim on the mountain's north slope, but the name was changed in 1896 to its present name, and the Foggy Peak name was transferred to the peak immediately northwest of Cadet. Back in the old mining days, the long sub-range stretching from Cadet Peak to Sheep Mountain was known as Pride of the Mountains Range. Cadet's nearest higher neighbor is Kyes Peak, 1.59 mi (2.56 km) to the south-southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk River.
Mount Forgotten is a 6,005-foot-elevation (1,830-meter) mountain summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located five miles north of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area and is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Pugh, 4.22 mi (6.79 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk River.
Morning Star Peak is a 6,020 ft (1,830 m) mountain summit located near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is situated 2.5 mi (4.0 km) southwest of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway near the Monte Cristo area. It is set on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Sperry Peak, 1 mile (1.6 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into the Sultan River, and the north side drains into headwaters of the Stillaguamish River. July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing this mountain.
Silvertip Peak is a 6,140-foot (1,870-metre) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is situated 3.5 miles south of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway, in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into tributaries of the Sauk River, or south into headwaters of Silver Creek which is a tributary of Skykomish River. Neighbors surrounding Silvertip include Gothic Peak, Del Campo Peak, Sheep Mountain, Cadet Peak, and Columbia Peak. Silver Lake and Poodle Dog Pass lie on the east flank of Silvertip, the Monte Cristo mining ghost town sits at the northeast base, and the Mineral City ghost town is at the southern foot of this peak. This peak was named in association with the nearby Silver Tip mining claim.
Wilmans Peaks is a 6,880-foot elevation (2,097 m) mountain summit, in Snohomish County of Washington state.
Foggy Peak is a 6,810-foot-elevation (2,076-meter) mountain summit in Snohomish County of Washington state.