Mount Wilder

Last updated
Mount Wilder
Mount Wilder.jpg
North aspect
Highest point
Elevation 5,939 ft (1,810 m) [1]
Prominence 939 ft (286 m) [1]
Parent peak Mount Dana (6,213 ft) [2]
Isolation 2.08 mi (3.35 km) [2]
Coordinates 47°46′03″N123°31′11″W / 47.7674531°N 123.5197148°W / 47.7674531; -123.5197148 Coordinates: 47°46′03″N123°31′11″W / 47.7674531°N 123.5197148°W / 47.7674531; -123.5197148 [3]
Naming
Etymology Unknown [4]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Mount Wilder
Location of Mount Wilder in Washington
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Mount Wilder
Mount Wilder (the United States)
Location Olympic National Park
Jefferson County, Washington, US
Parent range Olympic Mountains
Topo map USGS Mount Queets
Geology
Age of rock Eocene
Climbing
First ascent Unknown [1]
Easiest route class 2 South ridge [1]

Mount Wilder is a 5,939-foot (1,810-metre) mountain summit located near the head of the Elwha Valley, deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. [3] Part of the Olympic Mountains, Wilder represents the southernmost peak of the Bailey Range. [5] It is situated 8.7 miles east-southeast of Mount Olympus, and is set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. Neighbors include line parent Mount Dana, 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the northeast, and Mount Seattle rises 3.7 miles to the southwest. The headwaters of the Goldie River form on the south slope of the mountain, [6] and precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Goldie River and other tributaries of the Elwha River. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect of the peak rises nearly 3,800 feet (1,160 m) in less than two miles.

Contents

History

This mountain was originally christened "Mt. Barnes" by the 1889-90 Seattle Press Expedition, for Charles Adams Barnes, the expedition's topographer. [4] In December 1889, he and James Halbold Christie, the leader of the expedition, climbed through deep snow to the ridge just north of the peak, and finally laid eyes on the interior of the range which had been a mystery. Barnes wrote of the spectacle: "Range after range of peaks, snow-clad from base to summit, extended as far as the eye could reach, in splendid confusion." [7]

The Mount Barnes of today, which was originally named "Mt. Childs" by that expedition, is situated three miles northwest of Mt. Wilder, and for whom Mt. Wilder is named is unknown. [4]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Wilder is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [8] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Olympic Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall (Orographic lift). As a result, the Olympics experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months. 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. The months June through August offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this mountain. [1]

Geology

The Olympic Mountains are composed of obducted clastic wedge material and oceanic crust, primarily Eocene sandstone, turbidite, and basaltic oceanic crust. [9] The mountains were sculpted during the Pleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times.

See also

Related Research Articles

Mount Angeles

Mount Angeles is located just south of Port Angeles, Washington in the Olympic National Park. It is the highest peak in the Hurricane Ridge area. The summit, which offers panoramic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and many of the peaks of the interior Olympic Mountains can be climbed from the Klahane Ridge trail.

Mount Meany

Mount Meany is a prominent 6,695-foot (2,041-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. With a good eye and clear weather, the top of the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. The nearest neighbor is Mount Noyes less than one mile to the south, and the nearest higher peak is Circe (6,847 ft) on Mount Olympus, 4.07 mi (6.55 km) to the northwest. There are scrambling routes on the east side, via Noyes-Meany col, and via the ridge from Mount Queets. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, Mount Meany supports several small glaciers on its north and east slopes, despite its modest elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the headwaters of both the Elwha and Queets Rivers.

Mount Queets

Mount Queets is a 6,476-foot (1,974-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. With a good eye and clear weather, the top of the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Meany (6,695 ft), 0.8 mi (1.3 km) to the south. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, Mount Queets supports the Queets Glacier in a cirque on its north slope, despite its modest elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the headwaters of both the Elwha River and Queets River. There are scrambling routes ranging from class YDS 2 via the North Ridge, class 3 via the ridge from Mt. Meany, and class 4 via the Queets Glacier.

Mount Tom (Washington)

Mount Tom is a remote 7,076-foot (2,157-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Olympus, 1.76 mi (2.83 km) to the east. Due to heavy winter snowfalls, Mount Tom supports the massive White Glacier on its northeast slope, despite its modest elevation. This glacier is the westernmost glacier in the contiguous states, and the summit is the westernmost peak higher than 7000+ feet elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Hoh River.

Sentinel Peak (Jefferson County, Washington)

Sentinel Peak is a 6,592-foot-high (2,009 m) mountain summit located in the Olympic Mountains, in Jefferson County of Washington state. Rising in the center of Olympic National Park, its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Fromme, 1.42 miles (2.29 km) to the northwest. Sentinels Sister is a lower 6,301-foot-high (1,921 m) companion summit situated 0.65 miles (1.05 km) to the southwest. The two peaks stand as sentinels above the Dosewalips Valley and Hayden Pass, and were possibly named by an early expedition of the Seattle Mountaineers. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains to Hood Canal via the Dosewallips River.

Stephen Peak

Stephen Peak is a 6,418-foot (1,956-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Stephen Peak is the fifth-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge, appearing to the left of Mount Olympus. Mount Ferry is set 2.26 mi (3.64 km) to the southeast, and Stephen's nearest higher neighbor is Ruth Peak which is an outlier of Mount Carrie, 2.1 mi (3.4 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River and Hoh River. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1961 by Kent Heathershaw, Doug Waali, and Robert Wood.

Mount Fitzhenry

Mount Fitzhenry is a 6,050-foot (1,840-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Mt. Fitzhenry is in the Bailey Range which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Fairchild, 1.57 mi (2.53 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River. Mount Fitzhenry is situated at the head of Fitzhenry Creek, and both are named for Edward Allen Fitzhenry (1868–1937), Clallam County surveyor from 1892-1900. President Woodrow Wilson appointed Fitzhenry as Washington Surveyor General in 1913, and he later served as Deputy State Land Commissioner.

Mount Fairchild

Mount Fairchild, also known as Mount William Fairchild, is a 6,900-foot (2,100-metre) glaciated mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Mt. Fairchild is the second-highest peak in the Bailey Range which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Carrie, 0.84 mi (1.35 km) to the southwest, and Ruth Peak is set 0.92 mi (1.48 km) to the south. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha River.

Mount Ferry

Mount Ferry is a 6,195-foot (1,888-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Mount Ferry is the eighth-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Pulitzer, 0.6 mi (0.97 km) to the southwest. Stephen Peak is set 2.26 mi (3.64 km) to the northwest, and Mount Olympus is 7.2 mi (11.6 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha and Hoh Rivers.

Mount Pulitzer (Washington)

Mount Pulitzer, also known as Snagtooth, is a 6,283-foot (1,915-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Mount Pulitzer is the sixth-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. Its nearest neighbor is Mount Ferry, 0.58 mi (0.93 km) to the northeast, and its nearest higher neighbor is Stephen Peak, 2.58 mi (4.15 km) to the north. Mount Olympus is set 6.8 mi (10.9 km) to the southwest. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Elwha and Hoh Rivers.

Ruth Peak

Ruth Peak is a 6,850+ ft glaciated mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Ruth Peak is the third-highest peak in the Bailey Range, which is a subrange of the Olympic Mountains. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Carrie, 0.91 mi (1.46 km) to the northwest, and Mount Fairchild is set 0.92 mi (1.48 km) to the north. In clear weather, the mountain can be seen from the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Hoh and Elwha Rivers. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1961 by Bert Brown, Roy Etten, and Victor Nelson.

Mount Claywood

Mount Claywood is a 6,836-foot (2,084-metre) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. It is situated at the head of Lost River, and 15 mi (24 km) east of Mount Olympus. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mount Cameron, 2.4 mi (3.9 km) to the northeast. Other nearby peaks include Mt. Fromme, 0.58 mi (0.93 km) to the southeast, and Sentinel Peak, 2 mi (3.2 km) also to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north and west into tributaries of the Elwha River, and east into Claywood Lake, thence Dosewallips River.

Athena (Olympic Mountains)

Athena is a 7,365-foot-elevation (2,245 meter) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Athena is situated at the head of the Hoh Glacier, and the Hubert Glacier lies below the west aspect. Its neighbors include Mount Olympus, 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the northwest, and Aries 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the northeast. Athena has subpeaks "Athena II" (7,259 ft), and "Athena's Owl" (7,000 ft). Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Queets and Hoh Rivers, with Athena being the highest point within the Queets drainage basin.

Chimney Peak (Olympic Mountains)

Chimney Peak is a 6,917-foot-elevation (2,108 meter) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Chimney Peak is situated near the head of Elwha Valley, and immediately north above Enchanted Valley. Topographic relief is significant as the southeast aspect rises 4,800 feet (1,463 meters) above Enchanted Valley in less than one mile. Enchanted Valley is also known as Valley of 10,000 Waterfalls, and numerous waterfalls tumble down the immense cliffs of Chimney Peak. Neighbors include Crystal Peak, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the north, White Mountain 3.5 mi (5.6 km) to the east, and West Peak 3.4 mi (5.5 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north to the Elwha River, and south to the Quinault River.

Crystal Peak (Olympic Mountains)

Crystal Peak is a 6,896-foot-elevation (2,102 meter) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Crystal Peak is situated two miles north of Enchanted Valley, near the heads of Hayes River and Quinault River. Topographic relief is significant as the northeast aspect rises 3,300 feet (1,006 meters) above Hayes River in less than one mile. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north to the Elwha River via Hayes River and Godkin Creek. Neighbors include line parent Chimney Peak, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the south, and proximate parent West Peak, 2.0 mi (3.2 km) to the east. The lower slopes of the mountain are surrounded by Western Red Cedar, Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Alaskan Cedar, Mountain Hemlock, and Douglas-fir of the Quinault Rainforest.

Unicorn Peak (Olympic Mountains)

Unicorn Peak is a 5,100-foot-elevation (1,554 meter) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Clallam County of Washington state. Unicorn Peak is situated seven miles southwest of Port Angeles and three miles north-northwest of the park's Hurricane Ridge visitor center, in Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west to the Elwha River via Little River and Griff Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 4,800 feet (1,463 meters) above the Elwha valley in approximately three miles.

McCartney Peak

McCartney Peak is a 6,784-foot-elevation (2,068 meter) mountain summit located within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Part of the Olympic Mountains, McCartney Peak is situated 18 miles south of Port Angeles, and set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises 3,800 feet (1,160 meters) above the Lost River in approximately 1.5 mile. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into headwaters of the Lillian River, east to the Gray Wolf River via Cameron Creek, and west to the Elwha River via Lost River. The nearest higher neighbor is line parent Mount Cameron, 3.1 mi (5.0 km) to the southeast.

Mount Noyes (Washington)

Mount Noyes is a 6,173-foot (1,882-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Part of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Noyes is situated seven miles southeast of Mount Olympus, and set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Meany, 0.6 mile to the north, and Mount Seattle rises one mile to the southeast. Noyes is a major triple divide point with precipitation runoff from the mountain draining east into the headwaters of the Elwha River, west into headwaters of Saghalie Creek which is a tributary of the Queets River, and south into headwaters of Seattle Creek which is a tributary of the Quinault River. Topographic relief is significant as the east, west, and south aspects of the peak each rise 2,200 feet (670 m) in approximately one mile.

Mount Seattle (Washington)

Mount Seattle is a 6,246-foot (1,904-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Part of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Seattle is situated 7.5 miles southeast of Mount Olympus, and set within the Quinault Rainforest and Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Meany, 1.65 mile to the north-northwest, and Mount Noyes rises one mile to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into headwaters of the Elwha River, and south into tributaries of the Quinault River. Topographic relief is significant as the northeast aspect of the peak rises over 3,800 feet (1,160 m) above the Elwha valley in approximately 1.5 mile. Low Divide forms the saddle between Mt. Seattle and Mount Christie.

Mount Delabarre Mountain summit in Washington state

Mount Delabarre is a remote 6,024-foot (1,836-metre) mountain summit located deep within Olympic National Park in Jefferson County of Washington state. Part of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Delabarre is situated 12.4 miles southeast of Mount Olympus, and is set within the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is line parent Mount Christie, 2.5 miles to the west-northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into headwaters of Delabarre Creek, which is a tributary of the Elwha River, and south into Rustler Creek, which is a tributary of the North Fork Quinault River. Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect of the peak rises 3,400 feet (1,036 m) above Rustler Creek in approximately one mile.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Mount Wilder, climbersguideolympics.com
  2. 1 2 "Wilder, Mount - 5,939' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  3. 1 2 "Mount Wilder". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  4. 1 2 3 Parratt, Smitty (1984). Gods and Goblins: A Field Guide to Place Names of Olympic National Park (1st ed.).
  5. "Mount Wilder, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  6. Olympic Mountain Rescue, Climber's Guide to the Olympic Mountains, 1988, Mountaineers Books, ISBN   9780898861549, page 195.
  7. Tim McNulty, 2018, Olympic National Park: A Natural History, University of Washington Press, ISBN   9780295743271, page 14.
  8. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11: 1633–1644. ISSN   1027-5606.
  9. Alt, D.D.; Hyndman, D.W. (1984). Roadside Geology of Washington. pp. 249–259. ISBN   0-87842-160-2.