Ruby Mountain | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 7,412 ft (2,259 m) NAVD 88 [1] |
Prominence | 3,888 ft (1,185 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Red Mountain (7,658 ft) [2] |
Isolation | 4.24 mi (6.82 km) [2] |
Coordinates | 48°41′40″N121°02′34″W / 48.694438°N 121.042906°W [1] |
Geography | |
Interactive map of Ruby Mountain | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Whatcom |
Parent range | North Cascades |
Topo map | USGS Ross Dam |
Geology | |
Rock age | Eocene to Late Cretaceous [3] |
Rock type | Schist [3] |
Climbing | |
First ascent | 1916 Tommy Thompson [4] |
Easiest route | Scrambling |
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. [1] 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 (1,900 meters) above Diablo Lake in approximately two miles.
Ruby Mountain is named in association with Ruby Creek. The mountain rises above the confluence of Ruby Creek and Skagit River. Local tradition holds that in 1872, settlers John Sutter, George Sanger, and John Rowley travelled up the Skagit River and reached Ruby Creek. Sutter found a ruby on the creek, thereby giving it its name. [5]
The first ascent of the summit was made by forest ranger Tommy Thompson in 1916. [4]
Ruby Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] 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. [4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [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] 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). [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. [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.
Little Jack is a 6,745-foot-elevation mountain summit in the North Cascades of Washington, United States. It is located within the Pasayten Wilderness. It is situated one mile south of its namesake Jack Mountain, west of Crater Mountain, and east of Ross Lake. Like many North Cascade peaks, Little Jack is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. In the early 1900s, the Forest Service built the Little Jack Trail for the purpose of grazing pack animals on the meadows of Little Jack Mountain. The name "Jack" refers to Jack Rowley, a gold prospector in the area during the late 1800s, who was credited with finding gold at Ruby Creek.
Graybeard Peak is a 7,965-foot (2,428-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County, Washington.
Tomyhoi Peak is a 7,439-foot (2,267-metre) Skagit Range mountain situated one mile south of the Canada–United States border, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located west of Mount Larrabee and within the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1913 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Paul Bunyans Stump is a 7,513 ft (2,290 m) mountain summit in the North Cascades Range of Washington, United States. It is located within North Cascades National Park. It rises steeply from Diablo Lake, one of the reservoirs on the Skagit River. It is part of a group of peaks that form the northern end of a chain running south through climbing destinations such as Colonial Peak and Snowfield Peak. The nearest peak to Paul Bunyans Stump is Pinnacle Peak, 0.37 mi (0.60 km) to the north, and the nearest higher peak is Neve Peak, 0.9 mi (1.4 km) to the southeast. Like many North Cascade peaks, Paul Bunyans Stump is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Diablo Lake and Skagit River.
Pyramid Peak is a 7,189-foot (2,191-metre) mountain summit in the North Cascades Range of Washington, United States. It is located within North Cascades National Park. It rises steeply from Diablo Lake, one of the reservoirs on the Skagit River. It is part of a group of peaks that form the northern end of a chain running south through climbing destinations such as Colonial Peak, Paul Bunyans Stump, and Snowfield Peak. Like many North Cascade peaks, Pyramid Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 6,400 feet above the Skagit River in 2.5 miles (4 km). Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Diablo Lake and Skagit River.
Azurite Peak is an 8,434-foot (2,571-metre) double-summit mountain located at the common boundary point of Okanogan County, Skagit County, and Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Azurite Peak ranks as the 81st-highest summit in the state. Azurite Peak is situated north of Azurite Pass on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Tower Mountain, 5.24 miles (8.43 km) to the south-southeast, and Mount Ballard lies 1.97 miles (3.17 km) to the north. Remnants of a small pocket glacier are found on the east aspect. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains north into tributaries of the Skagit River, and south into the Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 3,000 feet above Mill Creek in one mile (1.6 km). The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the base of Azurite Peak.
Mount Ross is a 6,052-foot (1,845 m) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Whatcom County, Washington, United States.
Blackbeard Peak, also spelled Black Beard Peak, is a 7,241-foot mountain summit in the North Cascades in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest in Skagit County. It is situated northwest of Rainy Pass, southwest of Porcupine Peak, and southeast of Graybeard Peak. Its nearest higher neighbor is Repulse Peak, 1.06 mi (1.71 km) to the west. Blackbeard Peak can be seen from the North Cascades Highway. Precipitation runoff from Blackbeard Peak drains into Granite Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 3,000 feet above Granite Creek in one mile (1.6 km).
Crooked Bum is a 6,937-foot-elevation mountain summit on the crest of the North Cascades in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest on the shared border of Skagit County and Chelan County. It is situated immediately west of Rainy Pass and two miles east of Corteo Peak. The scenic and popular Maple Pass Trail traverses the south slope of the peak while staying above Lake Ann. Precipitation runoff from the north slope of Crooked Bum drains into Granite Creek which is a tributary of the Skagit River, whereas the south side drains into Bridge Creek which is a tributary of the Chelan River.
Mount Misch is a remote 7,435 ft mountain summit in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is the highest point of the Buckindy Range, or Buckindy Ridge. It is located 19 miles east-northeast of Darrington, Washington, and 15 miles north-northwest of Glacier Peak which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. It is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Misch was named by mountaineer and author Fred Beckey for his friend Peter Misch (1909-1987), University of Washington geology professor and mountaineer, who was renowned for his study of the North Cascades. Precipitation runoff from Mount Misch and the unnamed Goat Creek glacier on its east slope drains into tributaries of the Suiattle River and ultimately the Skagit River.
Mount Ballard is an 8,371-foot (2,551-metre) double-summit mountain located in eastern Whatcom County of Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range, and the mountain is situated on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Ballard ranks 84th on Washington's highest 100 peaks. The nearest higher neighbor is Azurite Peak, 2.04 miles (3.28 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Mount Ballard drains into Mill Creek and Slate Creek, both tributaries of the Skagit River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 4,000 feet above Mill Creek in one mile (1.6 km).
Early Morning Spire is an 8,200-foot (2,499-metre) mountain summit located in North Cascades National Park, in Skagit County of Washington state. The peak lies 0.29 mi (0.47 km) west-northwest of Dorado Needle, 1.05 mi (1.69 km) north-northwest of Eldorado Peak and 1.08 mi (1.74 km) southeast of Perdition Peak. It can be seen from the North Cascades Highway, west of Marblemount at a road pullout alongside the Skagit River. The first ascent of the peak was made in 1971 by Richard Emerson and Tom Hornbein via the Southwest Face. They made a chilly bivouac near the summit, which is how the peak's name came to be. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Marble Creek, a tributary of the Cascade River.
Pinnacle Peak is a 7,386 ft (2,251 m) mountain summit in the North Cascades Range of Washington, United States. It is located within North Cascades National Park, between Pyramid Peak and Paul Bunyans Stump, which is the nearest higher peak. It rises steeply from Diablo Lake, one of the reservoirs on the Skagit River. It is part of a group of peaks that form the northern end of a chain running south through climbing destinations such as Colonial Peak and Snowfield Peak. Like many North Cascade peaks, Pinnacle Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Diablo Lake and Skagit River. The approach is via the Pyramid Lake Trail, starting near Diablo Dam on the North Cascades Highway. From the lake, there is route-finding up Pyramid Arm to Colonial Glacier.
Skagit Peak is a 6,824-foot (2,080-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. Skagit Peak is part of the Hozameen Range, a subset of the North Cascades which also includes Hozomeen Mountain to the north, and Jack Mountain to the south. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into the Skagit River via Three Fools Creek and Ross Lake.
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.
Elija Ridge is a prominent 7,739 ft (2,360 m) ridge located in North Cascades National Park, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The highest point is called Elija Peak, and another peak on this ridge with sufficient prominence to qualify as a separate summit is called Ezekiel,. The nearest higher neighbor is Gabriel Peak, 1.9 miles (3.1 km) to the southeast, Beebe Mountain is set 1.86 miles (2.99 km) to the northeast, and Ruby Mountain is 4.86 miles (7.82 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from this ridge drains to Ross Lake via Panther Creek. This geographical feature is named after the prophet Elija, which is a reference to Tommy Rowland who settled in the Skagit River area in 1895 and later pronounced himself the "Prophet Elisha." Gabriel Peak, Genesis Peak, and Mount Prophet are also named in association with Rowland.
Gabriel Peak is a prominent 7,920-foot (2,410 m)-elevation mountain summit located in North Cascades National Park, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is part of the North Cascades which is a subset of the Cascade Range. The nearest higher neighbor is Cosho Peak, 2.7 miles (4.3 km) to the south, Beebe Mountain is set 2.5 miles (4.0 km) to the north, and Red Mountain is 3 miles (4.8 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from this feature drains to Ross Lake via Gabriel and Panther Creeks. Like many North Cascade peaks, Gabriel Peak is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as it rises 4,700 feet (1,400 m) above the Panther Creek valley in approximately one mile. This geographical feature is named after the archangel Gabriel, which is a reference to Tommy Rowland who settled in the Skagit River area in 1895 and later pronounced himself the "Prophet Elisha." Mount Prophet, Genesis Peak, and nearby Elija Ridge were also named in association with Rowland.
Glee Peak is a 7,180-foot-elevation (2,190-meter) mountain summit located in Whatcom County of Washington state, United States. It is set within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness, where it is situated 1.7 mile north of The Roost and one mile south of Azure Lake. The nearest higher neighbor is McMillan Spire, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the north-northwest. Glee Peak is part of the Picket Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades, and like many North Cascades peaks, it is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the northeast aspect rises 4,000 feet above Stetattle Creek in approximately one mile, and the southwest aspect rises 6,000 feet above Goodell Creek in three miles. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into these two creeks which are both tributaries of the Skagit River. Who made the first ascent of the summit is unknown, but Glee Davis and Burton Babcock were climbing in the immediate area as early as 1905.
Majestic Mountain is a 7,530-foot-elevation (2,295-meter) mountain summit located in Whatcom County in Washington state.
Mount Buckindy is a remote 7,320-foot-elevation (2,230-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is the second-highest point of the Buckindy Range, or Buckindy Ridge. It is set in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It is situated 20 miles east-northeast of Darrington, Washington, and 17 miles north-northwest of Glacier Peak which is one of the Cascade stratovolcanoes. Precipitation runoff from Mount Buckindy drains south to the Suiattle River via Buck Creek and Downey Creek, and north to the Cascade River via Kindy Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 4,700 feet above Kindy Creek in less than two miles. The mountain's toponym is a portmanteau of Buck and Kindy Creeks, and has been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.