Mount Higgins | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 5,176 ft (1,578 m) [1] |
Prominence | 896 ft (273 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Round Mountain (5,340 ft) [1] |
Isolation | 0.95 mi (1.53 km) [2] |
Coordinates | 48°18′54″N121°45′45″W / 48.315019°N 121.762407°W [1] |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Skagit |
Parent range | Cascade Range |
Topo map | USGS Mount Higgins |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1888 |
Easiest route | Scramble |
Mount Higgins is a 5,176-foot-elevation mountain summit located at the western edge of the North Cascades Range, in Skagit County, Washington. [3] Mount Higgins has two subsidiary summits, Skadulgwas Peak (4,986 ft) which is the fin-shaped middle peak, and also Mount Higgins Lookout Site (4,849 ft), the western sub-summit. The mountain is set on land administered by the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Higgins is situated along the north side of State Route 530, mid-way between the communities of Darrington and Oso, near the site of the 2014 Oso mudslide. The nearest higher neighbor is Round Mountain, 0.93 miles (1.50 km) to the north-northeast. [1] This mountain is named for Oso homesteader Walter Higgins. [4] The first ascent was made in 1888 by John Higgins, Frank Lawrence, and Al Baker. [5] Precipitation runoff from Mount Higgins drains into tributaries of the Stillaguamish River. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 4,800 feet (1,500 m) above the Stillaguamish in two miles.
Mount Higgins is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [6] Most weather fronts coming off 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. [6] 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. [6]
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. [7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [7]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [7] 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.
Gunn Peak is a 6,244-foot (1,903-metre) mountain summit in Snohomish County, Washington, United States.
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.
Ruby Mountain is a prominent 7,412-foot (2,259-metre) mountain summit located in the North Cascades Range of Washington state. It is situated in Ross Lake National Recreation Area which is part of the North Cascades National Park Complex. The Diablo Lake Overlook along the North Cascades Highway is at the foot of the mountain. The nearest higher peak is Colonial Peak, 4.2 miles (6.8 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains to Ross Lake via Ruby Creek, whereas the west side of the mountain drains to Diablo Lake via Thunder Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 6,200 feet above Diablo Lake in approximately two miles.
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.
Chair Peak is a 6,238 ft (1,900 m) mountain summit located in east King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Chair Peak is situated three miles northwest of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Chair Peak is located immediately south of Snow Lake which is a popular hiking destination. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 2,200 feet (670 m) above Snow Lake in 0.5 mi (0.80 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Kaleetan Peak, 0.57 miles (0.92 km) to the west-northwest.
Big Bear Mountain is a 5,641-foot (1,719 m) summit located at the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located midway between Three Fingers to its north, and Liberty Mountain to its south. Big Bear Mountain is situated in the Boulder River Wilderness on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk and Stillaguamish Rivers.
Devils Thumb is a 5,172-foot-elevation (1,576-meter) mountain summit in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is located near the western edge of the North Cascades, 10 miles south of Darrington, Washington, and 20 miles west of Glacier Peak which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. The peak is situated on land administered by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Devils Peak, 0.79 miles (1.27 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the south slope of Devils Thumb drains into Coal Creek which is a tributary of the Stillaguamish River, whereas the other slopes drain into Helena Creek → Clear Creek → Sauk River. Although modest in elevation, topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 2,100 feet above Helena Lake in one-half mile (0.8 km). This mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Jumbo Mountain is a 5,825-foot-elevation (1,775-meter) summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located four miles south of Darrington, Washington, along the Mountain Loop Highway. It is situated in the Boulder River Wilderness on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The mountain was named by miners for its resemblance to an elephant. The nearest higher peak is Buckeye Peak, 3.34 miles (5.38 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Jumbo Mountain drains into tributaries of the Stillaguamish River and Sauk River.
Mount Sefrit is a 7,191 ft (2,190 m) Skagit Range summit located three miles north of Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, and the Picket Range. Mount Sefrit's name honors Frank Ira Sefrit (1867–1950), editor and publisher of The Bellingham Herald for nearly 40 years. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1952 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the deep valleys of Ruth Creek and the Nooksack River which nearly encircle Mount Sefrit, except for Nooksack Ridge which connects it to Ruth Mountain.
Round Mountain is a 5,369-foot mountain summit at the western edge of the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is located nine miles northwest of Darrington, Washington, and is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Round Mountain is remarkable for its 4,840 feet of prominence which ranks as the most in Skagit County, and eighth-most of all the mountains in Washington state. The nearest higher peak is Whitehorse Mountain, 7.85 miles (12.63 km) to the south-southeast. Precipitation runoff from Round Mountain drains into tributaries of the Stillaguamish River.
Snowking Mountain is a 7,433-foot (2,266-metre) summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. Situated within the Glacier Peak Wilderness, Snowking Mountain is positioned west of the crest of the North Cascades, approximately 18 miles northeast of the town of Darrington. It is set within the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. Snowking has two subsidiary peaks, West Peak (7,425 ft), and Middle Peak (7,400 ft). A broad unnamed glacier known colloquially as Snowking Glacier rests on the north face. Downslope of that glacier are Snowking Lake, Found Lake, and Cyclone Lake. Mount Tommy Thompson is three miles to the northwest, and the nearest higher neighbor is Mount Misch, 5.75 miles (9.25 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from Snowking Mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.
Mount Ballard is an 8,371-foot (2,551-metre) double-summit mountain located in eastern Whatcom County of Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range, and the mountain is situated on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Ballard ranks 84th on Washington's highest 100 peaks. The nearest higher neighbor is Azurite Peak, 2.04 miles (3.28 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Mount Ballard drains into Mill Creek and Slate Creek, both tributaries of the Skagit River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 4,000 feet above Mill Creek in one mile (1.6 km).
Remmel Mountain, also known as Mount Remmel, is a prominent 8,685-foot (2,647-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the highest point in the Cathedral Range, which is a subrange of the Okanogan Range in the North Cascades. The mountain is situated 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the eastern side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 16.8 miles (27.0 km) to the west-southwest, and Amphitheater Mountain lies 3.6 miles (5.8 km) to the north. Remmel is the third-highest summit of the Okanogan Range following Mount Lago (8,745 ft), and Robinson Mountain (8,726 ft). These three peaks follow Jack Mountain (9,075 ft) as the highest peaks in the Pasayten Wilderness. Remmel is the most prominent mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 2,300 feet above Andrews Creek in 0.75 mile (1.2 km). Precipitation runoff from Remmel Mountain drains into the Chewuch River basin.
Castle Peak is a prominent 8,343-foot (2,543-metre) mountain summit located in the Hozameen Range of the North Cascades, on the shared border between Okanogan County and Whatcom County of Washington state. The mountain is situated one mile (1.6 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Jack Mountain, 14.8 miles (23.8 km) to the south-southwest. Castle Peak is the second highest summit of the Hozameen Range following Jack Mountain. Castle Peak is the sixth-highest mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east into Castle Creek, a tributary of the Similkameen River, or west into tributaries of the Skagit River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 3,000 feet above Crow Creek in 0.75 mile (1.2 km).
Mount Carru is an 8,595-foot (2,620-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the seventh-highest peak of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 0.8 mile to the east, and Osceola Peak rises one mile (1.6 km) west. The mountain has a steep north face, but the south slope is covered in scree which allows a nontechnical climbing ascent. Precipitation runoff from Mount Carru drains north into Lease Creek which is a tributary of the Pasayten River, or south into Eureka Creek, which is part of the Methow River drainage basin.
Mount Chardonnay is a prominent 7,020+ ft mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated 1.7 mi (2.7 km) north of Granite Mountain and 2.75 mi (4.43 km) east of Goat Mountain in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Sefrit, 2.77 mi (4.46 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Silesia Creek, a tributary of the Fraser River.
Hall Peak is a 5,484-foot (1,672-metre) mountain summit located in the South Fork Stillaguamish River Valley near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway, near the Monte Cristo area, on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is Big Four Mountain, one mile to the south-southwest. Both mountains can be prominently seen from the Big Four picnic area, where the trail to the Big Four Ice Caves starts. The peak is named for mining prospector George Hall, who in 1891, discovered the Forty Five claim.
Sperry Peak is a 6,120+ ft mountain summit in Snohomish County of Washington state.
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.
Black Mountain is a 7,262-foot-elevation (2,213-meter) summit located in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Neighbors include line parent Kololo Peaks, 6 mi (9.7 km) to the east, Painted Mountain two miles west, and Glacier Peak is 5 mi (8.0 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into tributaries of the North Fork Sauk River, and east into the White Chuck River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,460 feet above the White Chuck in two miles. The first ascent of the summit was likely made in 1897 by a survey team including A. H. Dubor, Thomas G. Gerdine, and Sam Strom, who named the mountain for the dark color of its rock. The ascent from the north via Lake Byrne is non-technical.