Table Mountain | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 5,742 ft (1,750 m) [1] |
Prominence | 422 ft (129 m) [1] |
Parent peak | Mazama Dome (5,820 ft) [2] |
Isolation | 0.84 mi (1.35 km) [2] |
Coordinates | 48°50′52″N121°42′49″W / 48.847774°N 121.713574°W [1] |
Geography | |
Interactive map of Table Mountain | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Whatcom |
Protected area | Mount Baker Wilderness |
Parent range | North Cascades |
Topo map | USGS Shuksan Arm |
Geology | |
Rock type | Andesite lava |
Volcanic arc | Cascade Volcanic Arc |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Hiking trail |
Table Mountain is a Skagit Range summit located west of Mount Shuksan and northeast of Mount Baker in the North Cascades of Washington state. [3] It is situated in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Table Mountain is located west of Artist Point, at the end of the Mount Baker Highway. From the Artist Point parking lot, a short 1.4 mile trail leads to the summit at the west end of the mountain. The summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, Mount Hermann, and Mount Larrabee. Remnants of the Table Mountain Glacier are on the northeast slope. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit and Nooksack Rivers. [1]
Table Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] 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. Table Mountain is situated above the Mt. Baker Ski Area, which recorded the world's greatest snowfall for one season, 1,140 inches (95.0 ft; 29.0 m), which was recorded during the 1998–1999 season. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. [4] 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 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.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. [5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. [5] Mount Baker, a stratovolcano that is 6.7 mi (10.8 km) southwest of Table Mountain, began forming in the Pleistocene. [4] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. [5]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. [5] 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.
Table Mountain is an andesite lava flow which was so thick that geologists think it must have flowed into a constraining canyon in which the molten rock formed a lava lake. Because of the wild, crazy columnar joints that occur along the sides of Table Mountain, there is a suggestion that the flow may have been constrained by glacial ice. [6]
Mount Blum, or Mount Bald, is a 7,685-foot (2,342 m) summit of the North Cascades range in Washington state, on the western edge of North Cascades National Park. It is the highest summit of a string of mountain peaks located east of Mount Shuksan and west of the Picket Range. Two small active glaciers rest on its northern flank. Mount Blum was named after John Blum, a United States Forest Service fire patrol pilot who perished in a plane crash near Snoqualmie Pass in 1931.
Mount Larrabee is a 7,865-foot (2,397-metre) Skagit Range mountain summit situated 1.4 mile south of the Canada–United States border, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located immediately southeast of American Border Peak within the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and near North Cascades National Park. It is notable for its reddish coloring caused by oxidation of Iron in the rock. The rock consists of reddish interbedded and interfolded phyllites and greenstone. Originally known as Red Mountain, the name was changed in 1951 to honor Charles F. Larrabee (1895–1950), of the prominent Larrabee family of Bellingham, Washington. The toponym was officially adopted in 1951 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Tomyhoi Peak is a 7,439-foot (2,267-metre) Skagit Range mountain situated one mile south of the Canada–United States border, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located west of Mount Larrabee and within the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This mountain's toponym was officially adopted in 1913 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Ruth Mountain is a 7,115 ft (2,170 m) Skagit Range summit located two miles south of Hannegan Pass in the North Cascades of Washington state. The name honors Ruth Cleveland, daughter of President Grover Cleveland. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1952 by the United States Board on Geographic Names. Ruth Mountain is situated on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, East Nooksack Glacier, Seahpo Peak, Nooksack Tower, Icy Peak, Mount Sefrit, Mineral Mountain, and the Picket Range. The melting and receding Ruth Glacier on the north slope of Ruth creates the headwaters for the Chilliwack River. Precipitation runoff also finds its way into the Nooksack and Baker Rivers.
Icy Peak is a 7,073-foot (2,156-metre) Skagit Range mountain summit located in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in North Cascades National Park at the head of Nooksack Cirque. High ridges connect it to Seahpo Peak and Mount Shuksan. An icefall occupies the northeast cirque, and small glaciers clad all sides of the peak. Precipitation runoff drains into the Nooksack and Baker Rivers.
Mount Sefrit is a 7,191 ft (2,190 m) Skagit Range summit located three miles north of Mount Shuksan in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, Mount Baker, and the Picket Range. Mount Sefrit's name honors Frank Ira Sefrit (1867–1950), editor and publisher of The Bellingham Herald for nearly 40 years. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1952 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into the deep valleys of Ruth Creek and the Nooksack River which nearly encircle Mount Sefrit, except for Nooksack Ridge which connects it to Ruth Mountain.
Goat Mountain is a 6,844-foot (2,086-metre) summit in the Skagit Range which is a subset of the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located south of Mount Larrabee and north of Mount Shuksan in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Goat Mountain has a subsidiary 6,725 ft summit known as the west peak, and remnants of what was colloquially known as the Swamp Creek Glacier rest on the northern slope between the two summits. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Chardonnay, 2.75 mi (4.43 km) to the east. The Silver Tip Mine was located on the south slope of the mountain near the 3,000 ft level. The mine produced silver and gold in the 1940s. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Fraser River and the Nooksack River.
Mount Chaval is a craggy 7,127-foot (2,172-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. Situated within the Glacier Peak Wilderness, Mount Chaval is positioned west of the crest of the North Cascades Range, approximately 15 miles northeast of the town of Darrington. It has two subsidiary peaks, East Peak and Middle Peak, each 7040 ft. The nearest higher neighbor is Snowking Mountain, 2.51 miles (4.04 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from Mount Chaval drains into tributaries of the Skagit 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.
Mineral Mountain is a 6,800-foot (2,100-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades of Washington state. Mineral Mountain is situated in North Cascades National Park and the summit offers views of Mount Shuksan, Icy Peak, and the Picket Range. Easy Peak is set 2 mi (3.2 km) to the east, and the nearest higher neighbor is Ruth Mountain, 3.06 mi (4.92 km) to the west. Precipitation runoff from Mineral Mountain finds its way north into the Chilliwack River, and south into the Baker River.
Granite Mountain is a 6,692-foot (2,040-metre) mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated 1.7 mi (2.7 km) south of Mount Chardonnay, and 1.2 mi (1.9 km) northwest of Hannegan Peak in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Fraser River and the Nooksack River.
Mount Chardonnay is a prominent 7,020+ ft mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated 1.7 mi (2.7 km) north of Granite Mountain and 2.75 mi (4.43 km) east of Goat Mountain in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Sefrit, 2.77 mi (4.46 km) to the southwest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Silesia Creek, a tributary of the Fraser River.
Sauk Mountain is a 5,545-foot (1,690-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is situated immediately north of Rockport State Park and the North Cascades Highway, on land managed by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Part of the North Cascades, Sauk Mountain is positioned west of the crest of the Cascade Range, approximately nine miles east of Concrete, Washington, and 17 miles north of the town of Darrington. The nearest higher peak is Helen Buttes, 5.86 miles (9.43 km) to the northeast. A popular two-mile trail provides hikers with good views from the craggy summit of Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, Mount Chaval, and the Picket Range. Precipitation runoff from Sauk Mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.
Hannegan Peak is a 6,191-foot elevation (1,887 m) mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated immediately north of Hannegan Pass, and 2.2 mi (3.5 km) north of Ruth Mountain in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Banning Austin and R.M. Lyle made the first ascent of Hannegan Peak in 1893 while surveying for a possible road across the Cascades over Hannegan Pass to Whatcom Pass. This peak was named in association with Hannegan Pass, which in turn was named for Tom Hannegan, State Road Commissioner at that time. Although no road was built, a four-mile trail leads hikers to the pass, and another one-mile path leads to the summit. Peaks which can be seen from the summit include Mount Shuksan, Ruth Mountain, Mineral Mountain, Mount Baker, Mount Sefrit, Mount Larrabee, Granite Mountain, Mount Chardonnay, Mount Rexford, the Picket Range, and many more.
Mount Hermann is a 6,240+ ft Skagit Range summit located northwest of Mount Shuksan and northeast of Mount Baker, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated in the Mount Baker Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mount Hermann is located immediately west of the Mt. Baker Ski Area, at the end of the Mount Baker Highway. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Nooksack River. This peak is named for Binger Hermann (1843–1926), head of the United States General Land Office. This geographic feature has also had variant names "Mount Herman", and "Herman Peak". The present toponym and spelling was officially adopted in 1988 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Pocket Peak is a 7,056-foot (2,151-metre) mountain summit located in the Skagit Range, which is a subset of the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is situated immediately west of Pocket Lake, and 4 mi (6.4 km) east of Mount Larrabee in the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Pocket Peak is set on the Slesse Divide, 0.7 mile south of the Canada–United States border. Its nearest higher neighbor is Rapid Peak, 2.24 mi (3.60 km) to the southeast, North Big Bosom Butte is 2.5 miles to the southwest, and Slesse Mountain is set 3.24 mi (5.21 km) to the northwest. Other peaks which can be seen from the summit include Mount Baker, Mount Shuksan, American Border Peak, Mount Chardonnay, Mount Rexford, and many more. This unofficially named peak is named in association with officially named Pocket Lake. Precipitation runoff from this mountain drains into Silesia and Ensawkwatch Creeks, which are both tributaries of the Chilliwack River.
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.
Mount Watson is a 6,220-foot-elevation (1,900-meter) summit located in the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state.
Mount Ann is a 5,840-foot-elevation (1,780-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state. It is set within the Mount Baker Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and is only one mile outside the boundary of North Cascades National Park. Mount Ann is situated immediately southwest of line parent Mount Shuksan and northeast of Mount Baker. Mount Ann can be seen south of Artist Point which is at the end of the Mount Baker Highway. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Swift Creek and Shuksan Creek, which empty into Baker Lake. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 3,200 feet above Swift Creek in approximately one mile. The mountain is unofficially named in association with nearby Lake Ann. Due to its proximity to the Mt. Baker Ski Area, Mount Ann is a winter destination for skiing and snowshoeing.
Little Devil Peak is a 6,985-foot-elevation (2,129 m) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is set within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness, where it is situated 3.1 miles northeast of Lookout Mountain. Little Devil is the second-highest peak of Teebone Ridge, and other peaks on this ridge include line parent Big Devil Peak, Fallen Angel, and The Trapezoid. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River. Like many North Cascades peaks, it 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 5,400 feet above Marble Creek in three miles, and the east aspect rises 4,200 feet above Newhalem Creek in approximately 1.5 mile.