Prairie Mountain

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Prairie Mountain
Prairie Mountain, near Darrington, at Sauk River.jpg
Prairie Mountain seen with Sauk River
Highest point
Elevation 5,678 ft (1,731 m) [1]
Prominence 1,358 ft (414 m) [1]
Isolation 4.87 mi (7.84 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°16′31″N121°28′16″W / 48.275179°N 121.471161°W / 48.275179; -121.471161 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Prairie Mountain
Location in Washington
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Prairie Mountain
Prairie Mountain (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Snohomish
Parent range Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Prairie Mountain
Climbing
Easiest route class 3 scrambling

Prairie Mountain is a 5,678-foot-elevation (1,731 meter) mountain summit near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. [3] It is located six miles east of Darrington, Washington, and northwest of Glacier Peak which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. It is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is White Chuck Mountain, 4.7 miles (7.6 km) to the south-southeast. [1] Precipitation runoff from Prairie Mountain drains into the Sauk River and Suiattle River, both tributaries of the Skagit River. The mountain was so named because of the beautiful prairie at its base. [4]

Contents

Climate

Prairie Mountain from Highway 530 Prairie Mountain from Highway 530.jpg
Prairie Mountain from Highway 530

Prairie Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [5] Most weather fronts originating in 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. [5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [5] 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. [5] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C). [5]

Geology

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. [6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [6] 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.

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Kololo Peaks is an 8,200+ ft mountain located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state. The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County and Chelan County, and also straddling the boundary between Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Glacier Peak, 3.29 mi (5.29 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff and meltwater from the White River Glacier on the southeast slope drains into White River. On the west slope, the White Chuck Glacier drains into the White Chuck River, and the Suiattle Glacier and Honeycomb Glacier on the north and east sides drain into the Suiattle River. Surrounded by these glaciers, Fred Beckey in his Cascade Alpine Guide describes the mountain as being almost a nunatak.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Prairie Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Prairie Mountain - 5,678' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  3. "Prairie Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  4. Edmond S. Meany, Origin of Washington Geographic Names, University of Washington Press, 1923, pg. 230
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.