Round Mountain (Washington)

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Round Mountain
Round Mountain 5340'.jpg
Round Mountain seen from Darrington
Highest point
Elevation 5,369 ft (1,636 m) [1]
Prominence 4,840 ft (1,475 m) [1]
Parent peak Jumbo Mountain [1]
Isolation 8.68 mi (13.97 km) [1]
Coordinates 48°19′35″N121°45′03″W / 48.326499°N 121.750747°W / 48.326499; -121.750747 [2]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Round Mountain
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Round Mountain
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Skagit
Parent range Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Fortson
Climbing
Easiest route Scrambling class 2 [1]

Round Mountain [3] 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. [1] The nearest higher peak is Whitehorse Mountain, 7.85 miles (12.63 km) to the south-southeast. [2] Precipitation runoff from Round Mountain drains into tributaries of the Stillaguamish River.

Contents

Climate

Round Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] Most weather fronts coming off the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, 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. [4] 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]

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. [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.

See also

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Spratt Mountain is a 7,258-foot (2,212-metre) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated on the western side of the Cascade crest, at the western edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Spratt Mountain is part of the Hozameen Range, a subset of the North Cascades which also includes Skagit Peak four miles to the north, and Jack Mountain six miles to the south. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into Ross Lake via Three Fools Creek and Dry Creek.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Round Mountain WA - 5,369'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  2. 1 2 "Round Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  3. "Round Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  4. 1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.