Unicorn Peak

Last updated
Unicorn Peak
Unicorn Peak Mount Rainier National Park 2016.jpg
Highest point
Elevation 6,971 ft (2,125 m) [1]
Prominence 2,091 ft (637 m) [1]
Parent peak Mount Rainier [2]
Isolation 4.72 mi (7.60 km) [2]
Coordinates 46°44′42″N121°42′03″W / 46.745127°N 121.700912°W / 46.745127; -121.700912
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Unicorn Peak
Location in Washington
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Lewis
Protected area Mount Rainier National Park
Parent range Tatoosh Range
Cascades
Topo map USGS Tatoosh Lakes
Climbing
Easiest route class 3 climbing [2]

Unicorn Peak is a 6,971-foot (2,125-metre) mountain summit in Lewis County of Washington state, United States. It is the highest point in the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. [1] It is located in Mount Rainier National Park, south of Mount Rainier. Precipitation runoff from the mountain's small glaciers, such as Unicorn Glacier, drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River. The descriptive name is for the mountain's resemblance to the head and horn of a unicorn. The toponym was officially adopted in 1913 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. [3]

Contents

Climate

Unicorn Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [4] Most weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, 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 snow onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. [4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in 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] 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). [4]

See also

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

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

Mother Mountain is a 6,480+ ft multi-summit, 3-mile long ridge-like mountain located in Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 7 mi (11 km) northwest of the summit of Mount Rainier. The Wonderland Trail provides one approach option to this mountain, and the summit offers views of Mount Rainier. East Fay Peak is its nearest higher neighbor, 0.42 mi (0.68 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from Mother Mountain is drained by Cataract Creek on the south side of the mountain, and Ipsut Creek drains the north side of it, and both are tributaries of the Carbon River. The west side drains into Mowich Lake, and thence Mowich River.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Unicorn Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  2. 1 2 3 "Unicorn Peak - 6,942' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  3. "Unicorn Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2020-02-24.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.