Skykomish Peak

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Skykomish Peak
Skykomish Peak, north aspect.jpg
Skykomish Peak, north aspect
Highest point
Elevation 6,368 ft (1,941 m) [1] [2]
Prominence 768 ft (234 m) [1]
Parent peak Johnson Mountain (6,721 ft) [3]
Isolation 2.03 mi (3.27 km) [4]
Coordinates 47°57′25″N121°09′52″W / 47.956914°N 121.164348°W / 47.956914; -121.164348 [1]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Skykomish Peak
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Skykomish Peak
Location in the United States
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Snohomish / Chelan
Protected area Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
Parent range North Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Benchmark Mountain
Climbing
Easiest route class 2 Hiking Southeast Ridge [2] [3]

Skykomish Peak is a 6,368-foot (1,941-metre) mountain summit located in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in the North Cascades of Washington state. [5] The mountain is situated on the crest of the Cascade Range, on the shared border of Snohomish County with Chelan County, and also straddling the boundary between Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Skykomish Peak is located 15 mi (24 km) to the north of Stevens Pass, and the Pacific Crest Trail traverses the east slope of this peak. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into the Skykomish River, or east into Cady Creek which is a tributary of Little Wenatchee River. This mountain's name derives from its position at the head of the North Fork Skykomish River, and "Skykomish" comes from the Lushootseed word for the Skykomish people, sq̓ixʷəbš, meaning "upriver people". [6]

Contents

Geology

The North Cascades feature 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 various climate differences.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [7] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 11 mi (18 km) north-northeast of Skykomish Peak, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene. [2] Due to Glacier Peak's proximity to Skykomish Peak, volcanic ash is common in the area and provides fertile soil for an abundance of wildflowers in its meadow-covered slopes.

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [7] 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.

Climate

Skykomish Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [2] 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. [2] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [2] 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. [2] 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). [2] The months of July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

See also

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

Spark Plug Mountain is a 6,320-foot (1,930-metre) mountain summit located above the western shore of Glacier Lake, in eastern King County of Washington state. It's part of the Wenatchee Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and is situated in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Surprise Mountain, 1.0 mi (1.6 km) to the southeast, and Thunder Mountain is set above the eastern shore of Glacier Lake. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts this lake as it passes between Spark Plug and Thunder. Spark Plug Lake, elevation 5,587-ft, lies immediately below the north aspect of the mountain, and Little Spark Plug is the 6,016-ft peak on the north side of this lake. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Surprise Creek and Deception Creek, both tributaries of the Skykomish River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labyrinth Mountain</span> Mountain summit in Washington state, United States

Labyrinth Mountain is a prominent 6,376 ft (1,940 m) mountain summit located 7.5 mi (12.1 km) north-northeast of Stevens Pass in Chelan County of Washington state. This peak is situated 11 mi (18 km) west of Lake Wenatchee, in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Rock Mountain, 4.87 mi (7.84 km) to the southeast. Labyrinth Mountain was named by Albert Hale Sylvester for the appearance of its complex topographic map contour lines, similar to a Labyrinth. In association with Greek mythology, he also named Minotaur and Theseus Lakes on this mountain's southeast aspect. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Little Wenatchee River.

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

Jove Peak is a 6,007 ft (1,830 m) mountain summit located 5 mi (8.0 km) north of Stevens Pass on the common border of Snohomish County with Chelan County in Washington state. This peak is situated 12 mi (19 km) west of Lake Wenatchee, in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Jove Peak was named by Albert Hale Sylvester for Jove in association with the mythology-theme of nearby Minotaur and Theseus Lakes which are near Labyrinth Mountain, 2.5 mi (4.0 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into headwaters of Rapid River, or east into Rainy Creek which is a tributary of the Little Wenatchee River.

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

Fifth of July Mountain is a 7,696 ft (2,350 m) mountain summit located in the Entiat Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state. Fifth of July Mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor is Chilly Peak, 3.8 miles (6.1 km) to the north-northwest, and Carne Mountain is set 4 miles (6.4 km) to the northwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains west into Rock Creek which is a tributary of the Chiwawa River, or east into Cow Creek, a tributary of the Entiat River. This geographical feature was named by surveyor Albert Hale Sylvester for the day he visited it.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Skykomish Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  3. 1 2 "Skykomish Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  4. "Skykomish Peak - 6,368' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  5. "Skykomish Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2020-08-01.
  6. Bright, William (2004). Native American placenames of the United States. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 453. ISBN   978-0-8061-3598-4 . Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.