Summit Chief Mountain

Last updated
Summit Chief Mountain
Summit Chief Mountain, Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest.jpg
Summit Chief Mountain, north aspect
Highest point
Elevation 7,468 ft (2,276 m)  NAVD 88 [1]
Prominence 1,324 ft (404 m) [1]
Parent peak Chimney Rock (7,727 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.29 mi (2.08 km) [1]
Coordinates 47°31′24″N121°16′06″W / 47.523426°N 121.268252°W / 47.523426; -121.268252  NAVD 88 [3]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Summit Chief Mountain
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Summit Chief Mountain
Location King County / Kittitas County
Washington, U.S.
Parent range Cascade Range
Topo map USGS Big Snow Mountain
Climbing
First ascent 1925 [4]
Easiest route Scrambling [5] Southeast Face

Summit Chief Mountain is a 7,464-foot (2,275-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. [1]

Contents

Climate

Summit Chief Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and 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 snowfall 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. 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. [6] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. [6]

Geology

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite walls spotted with over 700 mountain lakes. [7] 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 elevation range of this area is between about 1,000 feet (300 m) in the lower elevations to over 9,000 feet (2,700 m) on Mount Stuart.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [8] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [8] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [8]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [8] The last glacial retreat in the Alpine Lakes area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago. [8] 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 Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.

See also

Related Research Articles

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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.

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

Burnt Boot Peak is a 6,520+ ft mountain summit located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in eastern King County of Washington state. The peak is part of the Cascade Range and is one mile east of the crest of the range. Burnt Boot Peak is situated 6.5 mi (10.5 km) northeast of Snoqualmie Pass on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Huckleberry Mountain is set 1.87 mi (3.01 km) to the south, and the nearest higher neighbor is Lemah Mountain, 1.34 mi (2.16 km) to the east. This unofficially-named mountain is located at the head of the officially-named Burnboot Creek, variant spelling Burntboot Creek. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains south into this creek, or north into Middle Fork Snoqualmie River. The first ascent of this peak was made in August 1963 by Phil Weiser and Clarke Stockwell. The first ascent via the north ridge route was made in June 1971 by Don Williamson, Tom Oas, and Bill Bucher.

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

La Bohn Peak is a 6,585-foot (2,007-metre) mountain summit located two miles north of Dutch Miller Gap, in east King County of Washington state. It is situated at the head of Necklace Valley, in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. La Bohn Peak is set west of La Bohn Lakes and La Bohn Gap, and one mile 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. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Hinman, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the east, Little Big Chief Mountain is set 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the south, and Iron Cap Mountain sits 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the west.

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

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 Snoqalmie 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Summit Chief Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Summit Chief Mountain". ListsOfJohn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-21.
  3. "Summit Chief Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  4. 1 2 Beckey, Fred W. (2008). Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes - Columbia River to Stevens Pass. Vol. 1st. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books. ISBN   978-0898861273.
  5. Goldman, Peggy (2014). Washington Scrambles (2nd ed.). Mountaineers Books. ISBN   978-1594858406.
  6. 1 2 Beckey, p. 16
  7. Smoot, Jeff (2004). Backpacking Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Helena, Montana: The Globe Pequot Press.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.