Pierce Mountain | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 4,973 ft (1,516 m) [1] |
Prominence | 133 ft (41 m) [1] |
Coordinates | 48°44′54″N121°04′57″W / 48.7483°N 121.082582°W [1] |
Geography | |
Interactive map of Pierce Mountain | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Whatcom |
Protected area | North Cascades National Park |
Parent range | North Cascades |
Topo map | USGS Ross Dam |
Geology | |
Rock type | gneiss |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Hiking trail |
Pierce Mountain [2] is a 4,973-foot (1,516-metre) summit in the North Cascades of Washington, United States. It is located within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness. It is situated above Ross Dam, at the eastern culmination of Sourdough Mountain. Like many North Cascade peaks, Pierce Mountain is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Skagit River via Pierce Creek and Ross Lake.
Pierce Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [3] Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel east 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 snow 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. [3] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in 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. [4]
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. [5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [5] 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 the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [5] 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.
Luna Peak is the highest mountain in the Picket Range, an extremely rugged subrange of the North Cascades in the American state of Washington. It is located within North Cascades National Park. It is notable for its large local relief and isolated position on a far-flung eastern ridge of the Pickets. For example, it rises over 6,560 ft (2,000 m) in 1.8 mi (2.9 km) above McMillan Creek to the south.
Snowfield Peak is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. Located in the south unit of the park, Snowfield Peak is .70 mi (1.13 km) east of the summit known as Horsemans Pack and the Neve Glacier descends from the north slopes of the mountain.
The Needles is an 8,160-foot (2,487-metre) granite mountain located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. The Needles is situated on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,660 feet above Pine Creek in approximately 1.25 mile (2 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Tower Mountain, 2.26 miles (3.64 km) to the southwest.
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.
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.
Beebe Mountain is a 7,416-foot (2,260-metre) mountain summit located in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. It is situated on the border of North Cascades National Park. Its nearest higher neighbor is Elija Ridge, 1.86 miles (2.99 km) to the southwest, and McKay Ridge is set 4 miles (6.4 km) to the northeast on the opposite side of the North Cascades Highway. The mountain's name honors Frank Beebe who worked for the Forest Service and maintained a cabin near the base of the mountain in the 1920s. Precipitation runoff on the mountain drains into Ross Lake via Granite Creek and Panther Creek.
Trapper Mountain is a 7,530-foot (2,295-metre) summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades Range. Trapper Mountain is situated southeast of Cascade Pass on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness. The nearest higher peak is Hurry-up Peak, 0.92 miles (1.48 km) to the west. Surface runoff from the mountain drains into Trapper Lake and tributaries of the Stehekin River.
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.
The Roost is a 6,705 ft summit in the Picket Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades of Washington, United States. It is located within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness, and it is situated one mile north of Mount Ross. Like many North Cascades peaks, The Roost is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. The Roost was first climbed on July 12, 1966 by John and Taffy Roper. The nearest higher neighbor is Glee Peak, 1.76 miles (2.83 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the Skagit River.
Stiletto Peak is a 7,660 ft summit located in the Methow Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is situated in the Stephen Mather Wilderness on a ridge which also has Switchblade Peak and Jackknife Peak to its east. Stiletto Peak is also located on the boundary of North Cascades National Park, 2.24 miles (3.60 km) due north of Hock Mountain. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains to Bridge Creek via Copper Creek, whereas the south side of the mountain drains into the East Fork Bridge Creek.
Rainy Peak is a 7,768 ft (2,368 m) summit in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located 3 kilometers south of Rainy Pass and one kilometer southeast of Frisco Mountain on the borders of the Stephen Mather Wilderness and North Cascades National Park. Its nearest higher peak is Corteo Peak, 2.33 mi (3.75 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from Rainy Peak drains into Rainy Lake and tributaries of Bridge Creek. The retreating Lyall Glacier in its north cirque contributes to waterfalls which tumble 1,000 ft (300 m) into Rainy Lake.
Red Mountain is a 7,662-foot (2,335-metre) summit in the North Cascades of Washington, United States. It is located in Skagit County, within North Cascades National Park and the Stephen Mather Wilderness. It is situated on a smooth ridge of brick-red color at the western culmination of Ragged Ridge. The nearest higher peak is Cosho Peak, 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to the east-southeast.
Cascade Peak is a 7,428-foot (2,264-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is in the North Cascades, which is a subrange of the Cascade Range. The peak is situated above Cascade Pass, on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness. The nearest higher peak is Johannesburg Mountain, 0.53 miles (0.85 km) to the west-southwest, and The Triplets stand guard 0.35 miles (0.56 km) to the east-southeast. Surface runoff from the mountain drains into the Cascade River.
Mineral Mountain is a 6,800-foot (2,100-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades of Washington state. Mineral Mountain is situated in North Cascades National Park and the summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, Icy Peak, and the Picket Range. Easy Peak is set 2 mi (3.2 km) to the east, and the nearest higher neighbor is Ruth Mountain, 3.06 mi (4.92 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Mineral Mountain finds its way north into the Chilliwack River, and south into the Baker River.
Tricouni Peak is an 8,102-foot (2,469-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is situated in North Cascades National Park, north of the North Klawatti Glacier and southeast of the Borealis Glacier. The nearest higher peak is Primus Peak, 0.54 mi (0.87 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Tricouni drains into Thunder Creek. The peak is named for the tricouni which was used for traction on ice, and the approach to the peak involves traversing a glacier.
Styloid Peak is the unofficial name of a 6,972-foot (2,125-metre) mountain summit located in North Cascades National Park in Skagit County of Washington state. Its nearest higher peak is Mantis Peak, 0.33 mi (0.53 km) to the west, and Snowfield Peak rises 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Styloid Peak drains into Neve Creek and McAllister Creek, both tributaries of Thunder Creek. The first ascent of Styloid Peak was made on May 31, 1981, by John Roper and party, on the same day that they climbed Distal Phalanx. Roper, being a doctor, named some of his many first ascents for anatomical parts of the body.
The Chopping Block is a 6,819-foot (2,078-metre) mountain summit located in the Picket Range within North Cascades National Park in the state of Washington. The mountain is officially named Pinnacle Peak on maps, but hardly anyone calls it by that name. The nearest higher peak is Mount Degenhardt, 0.6 mi (0.97 km) to the northeast. The Chopping Block can be seen from the North Cascades National Park Newhalem visitor center, weather permitting. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Goodell Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River.
Mount Arriva is an 8,215 ft (2,500 m) elevation mountain summit located in the North Cascades in the U.S. state of Washington. It is situated in North Cascades National Park, on the shared border of Chelan County and Skagit County. Despite its position only 1.55 mi (2.49 km) southwest of Easy Pass, and 3.7 mi (6.0 km) west of the North Cascades Highway, it is not visible from either. Its nearest higher peak is Black Peak, 2.57 mi (4.14 km) to the southeast. Mount Arriva has a secondary summit, called East Peak, which was first climbed in August 1940 by Fred Beckey, Jim Crooks, and Ed Kennedy. The first ascent of the true summit was made July 6, 1966, by Joe and Joan Firey, John and Irene Meulemans.
Genesis Peak is a 7,244-foot (2,208-metre) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington, United States. It is situated within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Prophet, 2.22 miles (3.57 km) to the northwest. Like many North Cascade peaks, Genesis Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant since the southern aspect of the mountain rises 5,400 feet above the Big Beaver Valley in approximately two miles (3.2 km), and the eastern aspect of the mountain rises 5,600 feet above Ross Lake in approximately three miles (4.8 km). Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Ross Lake via Skymo, No Name, and Big Beaver Creeks. The first ascent of this peak was made September 13, 1975, by Norman Burke, Cliff Lawson, Ed Lebert, and Dan Sjolseth.
Trappers Peak is a 5,966-foot (1,818 m) elevation mountain summit located in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated within North Cascades National Park, Stephen Mather Wilderness, and Whatcom County. It rises steeply above Lower Thornton Lake which is set at the southwestern face of the mountain. Like many North Cascades peaks, Trappers Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the southeast aspect rises 5,500 feet (1,700 m) above the North Cascades Highway in approximately two miles. The nearest higher neighbor is Thornton Peak, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the northwest, Mount Triumph is two miles to the northwest, and Newhalem is three miles to the east-southeast. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River. The summit of Trappers Peak is known for its grand view of the jagged peaks of the Picket Range.