Pinnacle Peak (King County, Washington)

Pinnacle Peak
Pinnacle Peak
	Pinnacle Peak seen from the north
Highest point
Elevation	1,801 ft (549 m)
Prominence	981 ft (299 m)
Parent peak	Radio Hill (1,950 ft)
Isolation	3.39 mi (5.46 km)
Coordinates	47°10′25″N121°58′24″W / 47.173663°N 121.973412°W
Geography
	Pinnacle Peak Location in Washington Pinnacle Peak Pinnacle Peak (the United States)
Location	King County, Washington state, U.S.
Parent range	Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Enumclaw
Geology
Type of rock	Basalt
Climbing
Easiest route	Hiking trail

Last updated November 07, 2023

Pinnacle Peak,^[3] also known as Mount Peak,^[4] is an 1,801-foot-elevation forest-covered summit located in King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is set at the western edge of the range, immediately south of Enumclaw, Washington and 25 miles northwest of Mount Rainier. There are two other Washington summits with the same name: Pinnacle Peak in the Tatoosh Range to the south of Mount Rainier, and Pinnacle Peak in North Cascades National Park.

History

First called Mount Pete for Pete Chorak, an early Enumclaw settler, Pete became misheard as Peak, and the name Mount Peak received some followers. A former fire lookout built on the summit was called the Pinnacle Peak Lookout, hence the name Pinnacle Peak emerged. The one mile trail on the north side of Pinnacle Peak is called the Cal Magnusson Trail for a long time Cascade mountaineer who worked at REI for 25 years with famed American mountain climber Jim Whittaker.

Climate

Pinnacle 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, 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 Cascades experiences 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. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into the White River which cuts below the south base of the peak.

Geology

Pinnacle Peak is a 1,000 feet (300 m) extinct volcanic cinder cone rising up from the flat farmlands surrounding Enumclaw. This flat terrain was created by the Osceola Mudflow that spread from nearby Mount Rainier approximately 5,600 years ago. Some of Pinnacle Peak is buried beneath this mudflow since the peak predates the mudflow. Extruded outcroppings of columnar basalt can be seen along the trails near the top of the peak.

Hiking

The 256 acre Pinnacle Peak is encompassed by the 334 acre Pinnacle Peak Park. The steep, forested, one mile Cal Magnusson Trail is located on the north side of the peak. The south slope trail has more parking and more gradual grade along a gravel road and trail, with a couple views looking south to Mount Rainier and west to Buckley, Washington. On a busy weekend the trails will see 300-400 visitors per day. It's a popular hike for locals and those in training to climb Mt. Rainier. The summit is tree-covered so no views, but remnants of the concrete footings for the lookout are still there, as well as a USGS benchmark. There are budgeted plans for rebuilding the lookout so that there will again be views from the top.^[6]

Gallery

Mount Rainier seen from south side trail
Pinnacle Peak
Buckley seen from south side trail
The Three Sisters seen from trail
Long Hill seen from south side trail

Related Research Articles

Mount Pugh is a peak near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Washington state. It is located 12.2 miles (19.6 km) west of Glacier Peak, one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. It rises out of the confluence of the White Chuck River and the Sauk River, giving it very low footings. For example, it rises 6,150 feet (1,875 m) above the Sauk River Valley in just over 2 horizontal miles (3.2 km); its rise over the White Chuck River is almost as dramatic. The mountain is named for John Pugh, who settled nearby, in 1891.

Pinnacle Peak is a 6,562 ft peak located in Mount Rainier National Park in Lewis County, Washington. It is the second highest peak in the Tatoosh Range. There are two other Washington summits with the same name: Pinnacle Peak near Enumclaw, Washington, roughly 30 miles (50 km) to the northwest, and Pinnacle Peak in North Cascades State Park.

Eagle Peak is a 5,958-foot (1,816-metre) mountain summit on the west end of the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located south of Mount Rainier, within Mount Rainier National Park, and immediately east of Longmire. Eagle Peak was originally known as Simlayshe, a Native American word meaning eagle. George Longmire anglicized the name to Eagle Peak. The four mile Eagle Peak Trail leads to views of Mount Rainier. The summit of Eagle Peak requires scrambling. Precipitation runoff on the peak drains into the Nisqually River.

Antler Peak is a 7,017 feet (2,139 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Sourdough Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Antler Peak is situated west of Dege Peak and northeast of Sunrise Historic District, with the Sourdough Ridge Trail traversing the south slope of Antler between the two. Mount Fremont is its nearest higher peak, 1.55 mi (2.49 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Antler Peak drains into the White River.

Mount Fremont is a 7,214-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. Mount Fremont is a minor peak at the southwest corner of the Sourdough Mountains which are a subset of the Cascade Range. It also the juncture for a small ridge of peaks of similar size running to the northeast. Mount Fremont is situated northwest of the Sunrise Historic District, with a popular trail leading to the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout. However, this trail does not reach the true summit which is 0.25 mi (0.40 km) north of Frozen Lake. Peak 7317, also known as Mount Fremont North, located 0.31 mi (0.50 km) west-northwest along the ridge is its nearest higher neighbor. Access is limited by snowpack closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. Precipitation runoff from Mount Fremont drains into the White River.

Shriner Peak is a 5,834-foot-elevation mountain summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated south of Cayuse Pass, southwest of Seymour Peak, and southeast of Double Peak. A four mile trail leads from Highway 123 to the Shriner Peak Fire Lookout at the top of the mountain. Precipitation runoff from Shriner Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

Dewey Peak is a 6,710 feet (2,050 m) summit located on the shared border of Mount Rainier National Park and William O. Douglas Wilderness. It is also on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Dewey Peak is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range southeast of Chinook Pass, east of Seymour Peak, and northeast of Shriner Peak. Its nearest higher peak is Chinook Peak, 3.97 mi (6.39 km) to the north. Dewey Peak is named in association with Dewey Lake which is set below its north aspect. Precipitation runoff from Dewey Peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River and Yakima River.

Deadwood Peak is a 6,280-foot-elevation mountain summit located on the eastern border of Mount Rainier National Park. It is also situated on the shared border of Pierce County and Yakima County in Washington state. Deadwood Peak is set on the crest of the Cascade Range, immediately north of Yakima Peak and Chinook Pass, with the Pacific Crest Trail traversing its east slope. Its nearest higher peak is Naches Peak, 0.59 mi (0.95 km) to the southeast. Deadwood Peak takes its name from Deadwood Lakes and Deadwood Creek to its northwest, and their names came from the large number of downed trees in the area. From Chinook Pass, a short scramble up the south side leads to the summit with unobstructed views of Mount Rainier.

Tamanos Mountain is a 6,790-foot (2,070 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range. Tamanos Mountain is situated west of Governors Ridge and northeast of the Cowlitz Chimneys, all of which can be seen from the Sunrise Historic District. The name tamanos derives from Chinook Jargon and has the meaning of guardian spirit. This landform's toponym was officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 1932. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,100 feet above the White River in approximately 1.5 mile. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail, and from the lakes scrambling up the south slope to the summit.

The Castle is the descriptive name for a summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It is located in Lewis County of Washington state. Situated in Mount Rainier National Park, The Castle is 0.2 mile immediately east of Pinnacle Peak. Precipitation runoff from The Castle drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River.

Barrier Peak is a small 6,521 ft summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated west of Cayuse Pass, 0.53 mile west-northwest of Buell Peak, and 0.4 mile south-southwest of Governors Ridge, which is its nearest higher peak. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. The peak was so named because it served as a barrier between the Cayuse Pass region and the rest of Mount Rainier National Park.

Denman Peak is a small 6,006 ft summit in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. It's located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park. Denman Peak is situated east of Lane Peak and west of Pinnacle Peak.

Skyscraper Mountain is a 7,078-foot-elevation (2,157-meter) summit in Pierce County of Washington state.

Crystal Peak is a 6,595-foot summit located in eastern Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. Crystal Peak is situated 0.75 mi (1.21 km) northwest of Chinook Peak, and nearly on the crest of the Cascade Range. Crystal Mountain and Crystal Lakes lie immediately to the northeast, and Three Way Peak is 1.09 mi (1.75 km) to the east. Access to the summit is via a hiking trail which branches off from the Crystal Lakes Trail. That trailhead starts along Highway 410, which traverses the western base of the mountain. Precipitation runoff from Crystal Peak drains into tributaries of the White River.

Old Desolate is a 7,137 feet (2,175 m) multi-summit, ridge-like mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 5 mi (8.0 km) due north of the summit of Mount Rainier. The Wonderland Trail provides an approach to this mountain, and the summit offers views of Sluiskin Mountain and Mount Rainier. Burroughs Mountain is its nearest higher neighbor, 2.37 mi (3.81 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from Old Desolate drains east into the West Fork White River, or west into the Carbon River.

Mother Mountain is a 6,480+ ft multi-summit, 3-mile long ridge-like mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 7 mi (11 km) northwest of the summit of Mount Rainier. The Wonderland Trail provides one approach option to this mountain, and the summit offers views of Mount Rainier. East Fay Peak is its nearest higher neighbor, 0.42 mi (0.68 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Mother Mountain is drained by Cataract Creek on the south side of the mountain, and Ipsut Creek drains the north side of it, and both are tributaries of the Carbon River. The west side drains into Mowich Lake, and thence Mowich River.

Tumtum Peak is a 4,678-foot-elevation (1,426-meter) mountain summit located in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. This top-to-bottom forested peak is part of the Cascade Range and lies 8.7 mi (14.0 km) southwest of the summit of Mount Rainier. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Wow, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the northwest, and Iron Mountain rises 3.56 mi (5.73 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from Tumtum Peak is drained by Tahoma Creek on the west side of the mountain, whereas Kautz Creek drains the east side, and both are tributaries of the Nisqually River. The Road to Paradise traverses the southern base of the peak shortly after visitors to the park enter via the Nisqually Entrance. Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises nearly 2,500 feet above the road in one mile.

Kelly Butte is a 5,417-foot-elevation (1,651-meter) summit located in the southeast corner of King County in Washington state. It is set on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It is situated 3.1 mi (5.0 km) northwest of Colquhoun Peak and five miles west of the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from Kelly Butte drains into tributaries of the Green River. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 3,000 feet above Rock Creek in one mile. Access is via the 1.7-mile Kelly Butte Trail which leads to a restored, historical fire lookout tower originally constructed in 1926 and occupies the summit. Flora along the trail includes lilies, bear grass, Indian paintbrush, penstemon, arnica, columbine, lupine, phlox, and huckleberry. This geographical feature's name has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Tinkham Peak is a double summit mountain located on the common boundary of King County and Kittitas County in Washington state.

Mount Crowder is a remote 7,082-foot (2,159-metre) mountain summit in the Picket Range of the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state. Mount Crowder is situated in North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness. Neighbors include Mount Fury, 1.64 mi (2.64 km) to the northeast, and Twin Needles is set 2.3 mi (3.7 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from this peak drains south into headwaters of Goodell Creek, and northwest into Picket Creek which is a tributary of the Baker River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 4,300 feet above Goodell Creek in approximately one mile.

References

1 2 3 "Pinnacle Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
1 2 "Pinnacle Peak - 1,801' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
↑ "Pinnacle Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-08-21.
↑ "Mount Peak (Pinnacle Peak) — Washington Trails Association". www.wta.org. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
↑ Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
↑ Funding for Lookout King County.gov

External links

Pinnacle Peak weather forecast

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
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[pb-1] 1 2 3 "Pinnacle Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.

[listsofjohn-2] 1 2 "Pinnacle Peak - 1,801' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-03.

[gnis-3] "Pinnacle Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-08-21.

[4] "Mount Peak (Pinnacle Peak) — Washington Trails Association". www.wta.org. Retrieved 2018-08-27.

[Beckey,_Fred_W_2008-5] Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.

[6] Funding for Lookout King County.gov

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