Silvertip Peak

Last updated
Silvertip Peak
Silvertip Peak.jpg
Silvertip Peak, west aspect
Highest point
Elevation 6,140 ft (1,870 m) [1]
Prominence 1,300 ft (400 m) [1]
Parent peak Gothic Peak (6,213-ft) [2]
Isolation 2.30 mi (3.70 km) [2]
Coordinates 47°58′31″N121°25′12″W / 47.975367°N 121.420109°W / 47.975367; -121.420109 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Silvertip Peak
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
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Silvertip Peak
Silvertip Peak (the United States)
Silvertip Peak
Interactive map of Silvertip Peak
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Snohomish
Protected area Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
Parent range Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Monte Cristo
Climbing
Easiest route class 3-4 scrambling south ridge [2] [3]

Silvertip Peak is a 6,140-foot (1,870-metre) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. [4] It is situated 3.5 miles south of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway, in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into tributaries of the Sauk River, or south into headwaters of Silver Creek which is a tributary of Skykomish River. Neighbors surrounding Silvertip include Gothic Peak, Del Campo Peak, Sheep Mountain, Cadet Peak, and Columbia Peak. Silver Lake and Poodle Dog Pass lie on the east flank of Silvertip, the Monte Cristo mining ghost town sits at the northeast base, and the Mineral City ghost town is at the southern foot of this peak. This peak was named in association with the nearby Silver Tip mining claim. [3]

Contents

Climate

Silvertip Peak 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] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

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.

Silvertip Peak Silver Tip landscape.jpg
Silvertip Peak

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.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrace Mountain (Washington)</span> Mountain summit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sperry Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelton Peak</span> Mountain summit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bandit Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Roosevelt</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malachite Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Hermann</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Jim Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bald Eagle Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Bald Eagle Peak is a 6,259-foot (1,908-metre) mountain summit located 7.4 mi (11.9 km) southeast of Skykomish, in eastern King County of Washington state. It's part of the Cascade Range, and is situated in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Foss River. This peak is set on the divide between the east and west forks of Foss River. The nearest neighbor is Silver Eagle Peak, 1.1 mi (1.8 km) to the southwest, and Bald Eagle Lake lies in a cirque midway between the pair. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1933 by Hermann Ulrichs and Ben Falkenburg via the North Ridge. This mountain's toponym and correct location was officially adopted September 8, 1988, by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Some older maps will have this peak erroneously labeled at Silver Eagle Peak's location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Eagle Peak</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Silver Eagle Peak is a 6,241-foot (1,902-metre) mountain summit located 7.7 mi (12.4 km) southeast of Skykomish, in eastern King County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and is situated in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into tributaries of the Foss River. This peak is set on the divide between the east and west forks of Foss River. Malachite Peak is set 2.6 mi (4.2 km) to the west-northwest, and the nearest higher neighbor is Bald Eagle Peak, 1.1 mi (1.8 km) to the northeast. Bald Eagle Lake lies in a cirque midway between Silver Eagle and Bald Eagle. The first ascent of this peak was made in 1934 by Hermann Ulrichs and three companions. This mountain's toponym was officially adopted September 8, 1988, by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Some older maps will have this peak erroneously labeled as Bald Eagle Peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow Aster Butte</span> Mountain in Washington, United States of America

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mother Lode (Methow Mountains)</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Mother Lode is a 7,905-foot-elevation (2,409-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Okanogan County, Washington. It is situated in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and the peak is approximately two miles east of the crest of the range. Mother Lode is set approximately six miles south of Washington Pass, and the nearest higher neighbor is Gilbert Mountain, three miles to the northeast. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,500 feet above the South Fork Twisp River in one mile. The peak was climbed in 1983 by Rick La Belle and Glen Sterr via the north ridge, and the northeast ridge was climbed in 1985 by Carl and Gordon Skoog. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of Twisp River, which in turn is a tributary of the Methow River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majestic Mountain</span> Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Majestic Mountain is a 7,530-foot-elevation (2,295-meter) mountain summit located in Whatcom County in Washington state.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Silver Tip Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Silvertip Peak - 6,140' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  3. 1 2 "Silvertip Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  4. "Silvertip Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2020-08-16.
  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.