Mount David (Washington)

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Mount David
Mt. David.jpg
Mt. David centered, from the north
Highest point
Elevation 7,420 ft (2,260 m) [1]
Prominence 2,420 ft (740 m) [1]
Parent peak Kololo Peaks (8,200+ ft) [2]
Isolation 5.69 mi (9.16 km) [2]
Coordinates 47°57′47″N120°59′22″W / 47.96306°N 120.98944°W / 47.96306; -120.98944 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount David
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Mount David
Location in the United States
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Chelan
Protected area Glacier Peak Wilderness
Parent range North Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Mount David
Geology
Type of rock mica schist, quartzite, breccia [3]
Climbing
Easiest route Hiking trail

Mount David is a prominent 7,420-foot (2,260-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. [4] The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Mount David is the highest point of Wenatchee Ridge, a subrange which also includes Indian Head Peak, Whittier Peak, Mount Saul, and Mount Jonathan. [1] Its nearest higher neighbor is Bandit Peak, 5.69 mi (9.16 km) to the east-northeast. [1] Precipitation runoff from Mount David drains into tributaries of the White River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Mt. David rises 5,100 feet above the White River Valley in two miles. This peak was named for the biblical David by Albert Hale Sylvester, a pioneer surveyor, explorer, topographer, and forest supervisor in the Cascades who named thousands of natural features. [3] This mountain can be climbed via the strenuous seven-mile Mount David Trail with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain.

Contents

Geology

Southeast aspect from the trail Mt David, se aspect.jpg
Southeast aspect from the trail

The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [5] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 11.8 mi (19.0 km) north of Mount David, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene. [3] Due to Glacier Peak's proximity to Mount David, volcanic ash is common in the area. In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [5]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured and shaped the landscape. [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.

Climate

Mount David (left) and Mt. Jonathan (right) are named for the biblical David and Jonathan. Mts. David and Jonathan.jpg
Mount David (left) and Mt. Jonathan (right) are named for the biblical David and Jonathan.

Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel east toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the Cascades experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. 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.

See also

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

Mount Howard is a prominent 7,063 feet (2,153 m) mountain summit located west of Lake Wenatchee in Chelan County of Washington state. Mount Howard is the highest point of Nason Ridge, and is 1.37 mi (2.20 km) northeast of Rock Mountain, which is second-highest. This peak is set approximately midway between Stevens Pass and Lake Wenatchee, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Wenatchee River. The mountain may have been named by a survey party, and first published in 1887.

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

Rock Mountain is a 6,840+ ft mountain summit located 6.3 mi (10.1 km) northeast of Stevens Pass in Chelan County of Washington state. This peak is situated north of U.S. Highway 2, approximately midway between Stevens Pass and Lake Wenatchee, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Rock Mountain is the second-highest point on Nason Ridge, following Mount Howard, 1.37 mi (2.20 km) to the northeast. Rock Mountain was named by Albert Hale Sylvester. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Wenatchee River.

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

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.

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

Jove Peak is a 6,007 ft (1,830 m) mountain summit located 5 mi (8.0 km) north of Stevens Pass on the common border of Snohomish County with Chelan County in Washington state. This peak is situated 12 mi (19 km) west of Lake Wenatchee, in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Jove Peak was named by Albert Hale Sylvester for Jove in association with the mythology-theme of nearby Minotaur and Theseus Lakes which are near Labyrinth Mountain, 2.5 mi (4.0 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into headwaters of Rapid River, or east into Rainy Creek which is a tributary of the Little Wenatchee River.

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

Skykomish Peak is a 6,368-foot (1,941-metre) mountain summit located in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in the North Cascades of Washington state. The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County with Chelan County, and also straddling the boundary between Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Skykomish Peak is located 15 mi (24 km) to the north of Stevens Pass, and the Pacific Crest Trail traverses the east slope of this peak. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into the Skykomish River, or east into Cady Creek which is a tributary of Little Wenatchee River. This mountain's name derives from its position at the head of the North Fork Skykomish River, and "Skykomish" comes from the Lushootseed word for the Skykomish people, sq̓ixʷəbš, meaning "upriver people".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helmet Butte</span> Mountain of Washington (state)

Helmet Butte is a 7,400-foot (2,256-metre) summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Mount David, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "David, Mount - 7,420' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. "Mount David". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.