Sherman Peak | |
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![]() South aspect of Sherman Peak / Isabella Ridge (smoke from 2017 Diamond Creek Fire beyond) | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 8,204 ft (2,501 m) [1] |
Prominence | 404 ft (123 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Big Craggy Peak (8,470 ft) [2] |
Isolation | 1.98 mi (3.19 km) [2] |
Coordinates | 48°44′04″N120°19′35″W / 48.734363°N 120.326268°W [1] |
Geography | |
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Interactive map of Sherman Peak | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Okanogan |
Protected area | Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest |
Parent range | Okanogan Range North Cascades Cascade Range |
Topo map | USGS Sweetgrass Butte |
Sherman Peak is an 8,204-foot (2,501-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. [3] It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a subset of the North Cascades. This remote mountain is on Isabella Ridge, 10.5 mi (16.9 km) north-northeast of Mazama, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Big Craggy Peak, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north. [1] Precipitation runoff from Sherman drains into tributaries of the Methow River.
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. 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] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for visiting this area, however, smoke from distant wildfires may potentially reduce visibility, and smoky summer conditions have been increasing with climate change. [5]
The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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.
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.
North Gardner Mountain is a mountain in the North Cascades of Washington state. The mountain is located in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest and is the highest point in Okanogan County, Washington, and the 23rd highest mountain in the state.
The Needles is an 8,160-foot (2,487-metre) granite mountain located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. The Needles is situated on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,660 feet above Pine Creek in approximately 1.25 mile (2 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Tower Mountain, 2.26 miles (3.64 km) to the southwest.
Blue Lake Peak is a 7,808-foot (2,380-metre) mountain summit in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located in the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest on the shared border of Okanogan County and Chelan County. The peak is situated south of Early Winters Spires, Liberty Bell Mountain, and Washington Pass. Blue Lake is set below its west slope, and Stiletto Peak is to its south. Blue Lake Peak can be seen from the North Cascades Highway at the Blue Lake Trailhead. Precipitation runoff from Blue Lake Peak drains into tributaries of the Chelan River and Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 2,800 feet above Early Winters Creek in one mile (1.6 km). The mountain's toponym has not been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names. An alternate name, "Wamihaspi Peak," was published by mountaineer and author, Fred Beckey, in his guidebook.
Holliway Mountain is an 8000+ ft granite summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Holliway Mountain is situated near the headwaters of the Methow River on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Golden Horn, 0.91 miles (1.46 km) to the south. Azurite Peak is located three miles to the north-northwest.
Cashmere Mountain is an 8,514-foot (2,595-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Cashmere Mountain is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. It is part of the Wenatchee Mountains which are subset of the Cascade Range. The nearest higher neighbor is Cannon Mountain, 4.4 mi (7.1 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of Icicle Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Wenatchee River.
Monument Peak is an 8,597-foot (2,620-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 2.42 miles (3.89 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Monument Peak drains east into Monument Creek, and west into Eureka Creek, which are both part of the Methow River drainage basin. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,800 feet above Eureka Creek in 1.25 mile (2 km).
Remmel Mountain, also known as Mount Remmel, is a prominent 8,685-foot (2,647-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the highest point in the Cathedral Range, which is a subrange of the Okanogan Range in the North Cascades. The mountain is situated 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the eastern side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 16.8 miles (27.0 km) to the west-southwest, and Amphitheater Mountain lies 3.6 miles (5.8 km) to the north. Remmel is the third-highest summit of the Okanogan Range following Mount Lago (8,745 ft), and Robinson Mountain (8,726 ft). These three peaks follow Jack Mountain (9,075 ft) as the highest peaks in the Pasayten Wilderness. Remmel is the most prominent mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 2,300 feet above Andrews Creek in 0.75 mile (1.2 km). Precipitation runoff from Remmel Mountain drains into the Chewuch River basin.
Slate Peak is a 7,440-foot (2,270-metre) mountain summit located on the shared border between Okanogan County and Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Mazama, on the boundary line of the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The peak has the distinction of having the highest road in Washington, as well as the highest fire lookout. Although the narrow one-lane white-knuckle road reaches the summit of the mountain, the Forest Service gated it to vehicles, which necessitates walking the final few hundred yards. Additionally, the Pacific Crest Trail traverses the west slope of the peak, and the West Fork Pasayten Trail traverses the eastern slope. The nearest higher peak is Devils Peak, 2.57 miles (4.14 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Slate Peak drains east into Pasayten River, or west into Slate Creek, which is in the Skagit River drainage basin.
Apex Mountain is an 8,302-foot (2,530-metre) summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the east side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Amphitheater Mountain, 2.35 miles (3.78 km) to the west-northwest. The Pacific Northwest Trail traverses the northern slopes of Apex Mountain as it crosses Apex Pass. Precipitation runoff from Apex Mountain drains west into Cathedral Creek, or east into Tungsten Creek, both tributaries of the Chewuch River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,200 feet above Tungsten Lake in 0.3 mile (0.5 km).
Windy Peak is an 8,335-foot (2,541-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades and Cascade Range. The mountain is situated five miles (8.0 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the east side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Haystack Mountain, 9.24 miles (14.87 km) to the northwest in Canada. Precipitation runoff from Windy Peak drains into tributaries of the Methow River and Similkameen River.
Tiffany Mountain is an 8,245-foot (2,513-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the highest point in the Tiffany Range, which is a sub-range of the Okanogan Range. The mountain is situated on the east side of the Cascade crest, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Windy Peak, 18 miles (29 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Tiffany Mountain drains into tributaries of the Columbia River.
Mount Carru is an 8,595-foot (2,620-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the seventh-highest peak of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 0.8 mile to the east, and Osceola Peak rises one mile (1.6 km) west. The mountain has a steep north face, but the south slope is covered in scree which allows a nontechnical climbing ascent. Precipitation runoff from Mount Carru drains north into Lease Creek which is a tributary of the Pasayten River, or south into Eureka Creek, which is part of the Methow River drainage basin.
Devils Peak is an 8,081-foot (2,463-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Robinson Mountain, 1.88 miles (3.03 km) to the east-southeast, and Slate Peak is set 3.1 miles (5.0 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Devils Peak drains west into Robinson Creek, and east into Eureka Creek, which are both part of the Methow River drainage basin.
Pasayten Peak is a 7,850-foot (2,390-metre) pyramidal-shaped mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Wildcat Mountain, 3 miles (4.8 km) to the east-southeast, and Slate Peak is set 3.7 miles (6.0 km) to the south. Pasayten Peak is the high point of Gold Ridge, and precipitation runoff from this peak drains into the West and Middle Forks of Pasayten River.
Eightmile Mountain is a 7,996-foot (2,437-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. Eightmile Mountain is situated within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. It is part of the Wenatchee Mountains which are a subset of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher neighbor is Cashmere Mountain, 3 mi (4.8 km) to the northeast, and Mount Stuart rises 4 mi (6.4 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Trout Creek and Eightmile Creek, both tributaries of Icicle Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Wenatchee River. This mountain is known for its spring skiing and excellent view of the Stuart Range.
Tatie Peak is a 7,386-foot (2,251-metre) mountain summit located on the shared border between Okanogan County and Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated 2.6 miles (4.2 km) east of Mount Ballard, and 3.3 miles (5.3 km) south of Slate Peak, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Syncline Mountain, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the south-southwest. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the south slope of the peak, with an easy off-trail scramble to reach the summit. Precipitation runoff from Tatie Peak drains south into Trout Creek which is a tributary of the Methow River, or northwest into Slate Creek, which is part of the Skagit River drainage basin.
Syncline Mountain is a 7,560-foot (2,300-metre) mountain summit located on the shared border between Okanogan County and Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades, and is situated on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest neighbor is Tatie Peak, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the north, and the nearest higher neighbor is Mount Ballard, 2.1 miles (3.4 km) to the west. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the east slope of the peak, with an off-trail scramble to reach the summit. Precipitation runoff from Syncline Mountain drains east into Trout Creek which is a tributary of the Methow River, or northwest into Slate Creek, which is part of the Skagit River drainage basin. This unofficially named mountain features a conspicuous syncline, hence its descriptive name.
Big Craggy Peak is a prominent 8,478-foot (2,584-metre) mountain summit in western Okanogan County of Washington state, USA. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a subrange of the North Cascades. This remote mountain is located 12.5 mi (20.1 km) north-northeast of Mazama on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Big Craggy has two subsidiary peaks, North Peak (8,205-ft), and West Craggy (8,372-ft), the latter set on the Pasayten Wilderness boundary. The nearest higher peak is Monument Peak, 10 miles (16 km) to the west-northwest. Big Craggy Peak ranks 60th on Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 62nd on the "Bulger List". Precipitation runoff from Big Craggy drains into Eightmile Creek which is a tributary of the Chewuch River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 4,400 feet above Eightmile Creek in 1.25 mile (2 km).
Lost Peak is an 8,464-foot (2,580-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a subset of the North Cascades. This remote mountain is situated 16 mi (26 km) north of Mazama, and 7 mi (11 km) northwest of Big Craggy Peak. It is set in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Lost Peak ranks 62nd of Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 63rd on the "Bulger List". Precipitation runoff from Lost Peak drains into tributaries of Lost River, which in turn is part of the Methow River drainage basin.
Tamarack Peak is a 7,290-foot (2,222-metre) mountain summit located on the border shared by Okanogan County and Whatcom County in Washington state.