Russian Butte

Russian Butte
Russian Butte
	Russian Butte
Highest point
Elevation	5,123 ft (1,561 m)
Prominence	523 ft (159 m)
Coordinates	47°29′44″N121°35′22″W / 47.495616°N 121.589353°W
Geography
	Russian Butte Location in Washington Russian Butte Russian Butte (the United States)
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	King
Parent range	Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Bandera
Climbing
First ascent	1960 by USGS Survey Party
Easiest route	Scrambling

Last updated December 07, 2024

Russian Butte is a double-peak summit located in King County of Washington state. It is located at the western edge of the Cascade Range on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from Russian Butte drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Russian Butte is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 4,300 feet (1,311 meters) above the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River in 1.5 mile (2.4 km). The nearest higher officially named peak is Preacher Mountain, 3.29 miles (5.29 km) to the east.^[1] Little Comrade is a small peak one-half mile to the south-southwest of Russian Butte.

Climate

Russian Butte is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.^[2]

Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean 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 snow 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high 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.^[3] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Geology

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.^[4] During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.^[4] The last glacial retreat in the area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago.^[4] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of that 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 Cascade Range.

Related Research Articles

Red Mountain is a 5,890-foot (1,795-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which is part of the Cascade Range. Red Mountain is situated three miles north of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Lundin Peak, 0.7 mi (1.1 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains into Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the south side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River via Commonwealth Creek.

Chair Peak is a 6,238 ft (1,900 m) mountain summit located in east King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is set within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Chair Peak is situated three miles northwest of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Chair Peak is located immediately south of Snow Lake which is a popular hiking destination. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 2,200 feet (670 m) above Snow Lake in 0.5 mi (0.80 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Kaleetan Peak, 0.57 miles (0.92 km) to the west-northwest.

Garfield Mountain, also known as Mount Garfield, is a multi-peak summit located in King County of Washington state. It is located on the western edge of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Garfield is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Topographic relief is significant as it rises over 4,400 feet above the river in approximately one mile. The mountain's toponym honors James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States.

Lundin Peak is a summit located in King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Lundin Peak is situated three miles north of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Lundin Peak is a high point on a ridge located midway between Snoqualmie Mountain and Red Mountain. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Originally called Snoqualmie Little Sister, the peak's toponym was changed in 1931 to honor district forest ranger John Lundin.

Huckleberry Mountain is a 6,320+ ft summit located on the shared border of King County and Kittitas County in Washington state.

Bryant Peak is a 5,801-foot (1,768-metre) summit located in King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Bryant Peak is located northwest of Snoqualmie Pass and the Alpental ski area, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Bryant Peak is located south of Snow Lake which is a popular hiking destination. The nearest higher neighbor is Chair Peak, 0.65 miles (1.05 km) to the northwest. Originally called Hemlock Peak, Bryant Peak was renamed in 1925 to honor Sidney V. Bryant of The Mountaineers who made the first ascent of Kaleetan Peak in 1914. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.

Snowking Mountain is a 7,433-foot (2,266-metre) summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. Situated within the Glacier Peak Wilderness, Snowking Mountain is positioned west of the crest of the North Cascades, approximately 18 miles northeast of the town of Darrington. It is set within the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. Snowking has two subsidiary peaks, West Peak (7,425 ft), and Middle Peak (7,400 ft). A broad unnamed glacier known colloquially as Snowking Glacier rests on the north face. Downslope of that glacier are Snowking Lake, Found Lake, and Cyclone Lake. Mount Tommy Thompson is three miles to the northwest, and the nearest higher neighbor is Mount Misch, 5.75 miles (9.25 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from Snowking Mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.

Little Comrade is a small summit located in King County of Washington state. It is situated at the western edge of the Cascade Range on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Little Comrade is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Precipitation runoff from Little Comrade drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 3,500 feet above Middle Fork Snoqualmie River in 1.3 mile (2.1 km). The nearest higher peak is Russian Butte, 0.49 miles (0.79 km) to the north-northeast.

Preacher Mountain is a broad summit located in King County of Washington state. It's located at the western edge of the Cascade Range and is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Kaleetan Peak, 3.11 miles (5.01 km) to the southeast. The Pulpit is situated 2.19 miles to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.

The Pulpit is a 4,523-foot (1,379-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It is located at the western edge of the Cascade Range on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The Pulpit is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 3,600 feet above the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River in approximately one mile (1.6 km). The nearest higher peak is Preacher Mountain, 2.19 miles (3.52 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from The Pulpit drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.

Summit Chief Mountain is a 7,467-foot (2,276-meter) mountain summit located on the county line separating King County and Kittitas County in Washington state. It is entirely within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Summit Chief Mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, nine miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass. Precipitation runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the east side drains into tributaries of the Yakima River. The nearest higher peak is Chimney Rock, 1.29 miles (2.08 km) to the southwest.

Hibox Mountain is a 6,550-foot (1,996-metre) mountain summit located in the Cascade Range in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on land managed by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain's name "Hibox" is a portmanteau which is derived from its position as the high point of Box Ridge. The peak is five miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, and Alta Mountain lies 1.5 miles to the west-northwest of Hibox. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Box Canyon Creek and Mineral Creek which both empty to Kachess Lake. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,250 feet above Box Canyon in one mile (1.6 km).

Big Snow Mountain is a prominent 6,680-foot (2,040-metre) mountain summit located 7 mi (11 km) north of Snoqualmie Pass in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in eastern King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers. The nearest higher peak is Overcoat Peak, 3.75 mi (6.04 km) to the east-southeast.

Green Mountain is a 4,824-foot (1,470-metre) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It's situated at the western edge of the Cascade Range on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Green Mountain is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Its nearest neighbor is Mount Teneriffe, 1.18 miles (1.90 km) to the southwest, and the nearest higher peak is Moolock Mountain, 2.53 miles (4.07 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from Green Mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.

Mount Roosevelt is a 5,835-foot (1,779-metre) mountain summit located six miles (9.7 km) northwest of Snoqualmie Pass, in east King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range and is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Roosevelt is set above the western shore of Snow Lake, and two miles (3.2 km) immediately north of Kaleetan Peak, which is the nearest higher neighbor. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River. This mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1989 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Little Big Chief Mountain is a 7,225-foot (2,202-metre) mountain summit located immediately southwest of Dutch Miller Gap, on the common border separating King County and Kittitas County in Washington state. It is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Little Big Chief Mountain is set ten miles northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from the west side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the east side drains into tributaries of the Yakima River. The nearest higher peak is Summit Chief Mountain, 0.7 miles (1.1 km) to the southwest, and Chimney Rock is set 2.2 miles (3.5 km) to the southwest. The first ascent of this peak was made in August 1939 by Fred Beckey, Wayne Swift, Joe Barto, and Campbell Brooks. This mountain was named for Lorenz A. Nelson during the 1925 Mountaineers climb of Summit Chief Mountain. Nelson was a pioneering mountaineer who led first ascents of Mount Olympus, Mount Meany, and Chiwawa Mountain.

Iron Cap Mountain is a 6,347-foot (1,935-metre) mountain summit located two miles west-northwest of Dutch Miller Gap, in east King County of Washington state. It is situated in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Iron Cap Mountain is set two miles west of the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the north side drains into tributaries of the Foss River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Iron Cap rises 2,500 feet above the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley in less than one mile. Its neighbors include La Bohn Peak, 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the east, and Little Big Chief Mountain, 2.14 miles (3.44 km) to the southeast.

Yellow Aster Butte is a 6,241-foot (1,902-metre) Skagit Range summit located three miles south of the Canada–United States border, in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated within the Mount Baker Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Winchester Mountain, 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the east, and Mount Larrabee is set 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the northeast. The summit offers views of Mount Larrabee, Tomyhoi Peak, American Border Peak, Canadian Border Peak, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Baker. Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains into Tomyhoi Creek, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into Damfino Creek, and the south slope is drained by Swamp Creek.

Bessemer Mountain is a 5,166-foot-elevation (1,575-meter) mountain summit located in King County of Washington state. It is situated at the western edge of the Cascade Range, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Bessemer Mountain is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises over 4,200 feet above Middle Fork Snoqualmie River in two miles. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River.

North Big Bosom Butte is a 6,384-foot (1,946-metre) mountain summit located in Whatcom County of Washington state.

References

1 2 3 4 "Russian Butte, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
1 2 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
1 2 Beckey, p. 16
1 2 3 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

Russian Butte weather: Mountain Forecast
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Russian Butte

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[pb-1] 1 2 3 4 "Russian Butte, Washington". Peakbagger.com.

[Beckey,_Fred_W_2008-2] 1 2 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.

[Beckey_16-3] 1 2 Beckey, p. 16

[Kruckeberg-4] 1 2 3 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]