Whistler Mountain (Washington)

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Whistler Mountain
Whistler Mountain 7790' North Cascades.jpg
Whistler Mountain from North Cascades Highway
Highest point
Elevation 7,790 ft (2,374 m) [1]
Prominence 590 ft (180 m) [1]
Parent peak Cutthroat Peak (8,050 ft) [2]
Isolation 0.78 mi (1.26 km) [2]
Coordinates 48°30′56″N120°42′28″W / 48.5154506°N 120.7078688°W / 48.5154506; -120.7078688 [3]
Geography
USA Washington relief location map.jpg
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Whistler Mountain
Location in Washington
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Whistler Mountain
Whistler Mountain (the United States)
Location Chelan County, Washington
Parent range North Cascades
Topo map USGS Washington Pass
Climbing
Easiest route class 3 scrambling

Whistler Mountain is a 7,790-foot (2,370-metre) mountain summit located in Chelan County of Washington state. [3] The mountain is part of the Okanagan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. Whistler Mountain is about two miles west of Washington Pass and one mile east of Rainy Pass. The North Cascades Highway bends around the southern base of the mountain between these two passes. A high ridge connects Whistler to its nearest higher neighbor, Cutthroat Peak, which is 0.78 miles (1.26 km) to the north-northeast. [1] Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Bridge Creek. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 3,000 feet (910 meters) above the creek and highway in approximately one mile.

Contents

Climate

Whistler from Maple Pass Trail Whistler Mountain 28027.JPG
Whistler from Maple Pass Trail

Whistler 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 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. [4] 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]

Geology

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.

Whistler Mountain centered. Cutthroat Peak in upper right. Paraglider in Blue Lake basin.jpg
Whistler Mountain centered. Cutthroat Peak in upper right.

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] 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.

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Pica Peak is a 7,565-foot (2,306-metre) summit located in the Methow Mountains, a subset of the North Cascades, on the shared border between Okanogan County and Chelan County in Washington state. Pica Peak is situated 1.7 mi (2.7 km) southeast of Washington Pass, within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Copper Benchmark, 0.58 miles (0.93 km) to the southeast, and Blue Lake Peak is set 0.93 miles (1.50 km) to the west-northwest. Although modest in prominence, relief is significant as the peak rises 2,000 feet above Early Winters Basin in only 0.5 mi (1 km). Precipitation runoff on the north side of the mountain drains to the Methow River via Early Winters Creek, whereas the south side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Stehekin River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trappers Peak</span> Mountain in Washington State

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

Rhino Butte is a remote 6,914-foot-elevation summit located in Whatcom County of Washington, United States. It is situated within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness, and is part of the Picket Range, a subset of the North Cascades. Like many North Cascades peaks, Rhino Butte is more notable for its large, steep rise above local terrain than for its absolute elevation. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 4,350 feet above McMillan Creek in one mile, and the south aspect rises 4,700 feet above Stetattle Creek in two miles. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the Skagit River via these two creeks. The nearest higher neighbor is Elephant Butte, 1.27 mile to the east-northeast, with Hippo Butte (6,889 ft) between the two. A high alpine ridge connects Rhino to McMillan Spire, 1.7 mile to the west-southwest, and Azure Lake lies below this ridge. The first ascent of the summit was made October 15, 1978, by John Roper. This geographical feature's name has not yet been officially adopted by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damnation Peak</span>

Damnation Peak is a 5,635-foot-elevation (1,718 m) mountain summit located in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is situated within North Cascades National Park, Stephen Mather Wilderness, and Whatcom County. Like many North Cascades peaks, Damnation Peak 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 2,800 feet above Damnation Creek in approximately 1.5 mile, and the north aspect rises 3,000 feet above Triumph Creek in one mile. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into these tributaries of the Skagit River. Neighbors include Mount Triumph, 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to the north-northeast, and Trappers Peak is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) to the east-northeast. The town of Newhalem is six miles to the east. In 1938, Lloyd Anderson climbed a nearby summit which is known today as Thornton Peak and called it "Damnation."

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Whistler Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Whistler Mountain - 7,790' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  3. 1 2 "Whistler Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 302. ISBN   978-1-59485-136-0.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.