Wahpenayo Peak

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Wahpenayo Peak
Wahpenayo Peak.jpg
Wahpenayo Peak (centered) seen from Denman Peak with Cliff Lake and Chutla Peak to far right
Highest point
Elevation 6,231 ft (1,899 m) [1]
Prominence 791 ft (241 m) [1]
Parent peak Plummer Peak (6,374 ft) [2]
Isolation 1.37 mi (2.20 km) [2]
Coordinates 46°44′49″N121°46′01″W / 46.74693°N 121.76687°W / 46.74693; -121.76687
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Wahpenayo Peak
Location in Washington
Usa edcp relief location map.png
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Wahpenayo Peak
Location in the United States
CountryUnited States
State Washington
County Lewis
Protected area Mount Rainier National Park
Parent range Cascades
Topo map USGS Wahpenayo Peak
Climbing
Easiest route Scrambling class 3

Wahpenayo Peak is a 6,231-foot (1,899-metre) mountain summit in Lewis County of Washington state, United States. It is part of the Tatoosh Range which is a sub-range of the Cascade Range. [1] It is located south of Mount Rainier within Mount Rainier National Park. The mountain is named for Wahpenayo, a native American chief who was the father-in-law of Indian Henry. [3] Precipitation runoff on the south and east side of the peak drains into tributaries of the Cowlitz River, whereas the north side drains into tributaries of the Nisqually River.

Contents

Climate

Wahpenayo 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]

Left to right: Lane Peak, Wahpenayo Peak (centered), Mount St. Helens, and Chutla Peak in winter. Lane, Wahpenayo, St. Helens, Chutla.jpg
Left to rightː Lane Peak, Wahpenayo Peak (centered), Mount St. Helens, and Chutla Peak in winter.

See also

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

Tumtum Peak is a 4,678-foot-elevation (1,426-meter) mountain summit located in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. This top-to-bottom forested peak is part of the Cascade Range and lies 8.7 mi (14.0 km) southwest of the summit of Mount Rainier. The nearest higher neighbor is Mount Wow, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the northwest, and Iron Mountain rises 3.56 mi (5.73 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from Tumtum Peak is drained by Tahoma Creek on the west side of the mountain, whereas Kautz Creek drains the east side, and both are tributaries of the Nisqually River. The Road to Paradise traverses the southern base of the peak shortly after visitors to the park enter via the Nisqually Entrance. Topographic relief is significant as the southwest aspect rises nearly 2,500 feet above the road in one mile.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Wahpenayo Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Wahpenayo Peak - 6,231' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-11-04.
  3. "Wahpenayo Peak". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.