Wind Mountain | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 1,907 ft (581 m) [1] |
Prominence | 947 ft (289 m) [1] |
Isolation | 2.41 mi (3.88 km) [2] |
Coordinates | 45°42′36″N121°45′21″W / 45.7098639°N 121.7557228°W [3] |
Geography | |
Location | Skamania County, Washington, U.S. |
Parent range | Cascade Range |
Topo map | USGS Carson |
Geology | |
Age of rock | late Miocene to Pliocene |
Mountain type | intrusive igneous |
Type of rock | quartz diorite |
Climbing | |
First ascent | Native Americans |
Easiest route | class 1 hiking trail |
Wind Mountain is a 1,907-foot-elevation (581-meter) summit located in Skamania County of Washington state. [3]
Wind Mountain is part of the Cascade Range and is set within the Columbia River Gorge, on land managed by Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The prominent landmark is situated three miles east of Carson, Washington, and two miles east of the mouth of Wind River. Precipitation runoff from Wind Mountain drains into the Columbia River. Topographic relief is significant as the south aspect rises 1,800 feet (550 meters) above the Columbia in one-half mile. Access to the mountain is via Washington State Route 14 and the 1.4-mile Wind Mountain Trail. From the summit there are views of Greenleaf Peak and Table Mountain to the west, as well as Dog Mountain to the east. The Wind Mountain Spirit Quest is a sacred archeological site near the summit created by Native American youths and dates back to 1000–200 years ago. [4] This geographical feature's name has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, [3] noting that the mountain is located in an area known for consistently high winds channeling through the Columbia River Gorge. According to Native American mythology, the Great Spirit set whirlwinds blowing in constant fury around Wind Mountain as punishment for those who had broken a taboo and taught white men how to snare salmon. [5] The Lewis and Clark Expedition visited this area on October 30, 1805, where they observed a submerged forest at the base of this mountain, a relic of the Bonneville landslide which occurred six miles downstream. [6]
Wind Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. [7] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east 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 snowfall onto the Cascades. 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.
The Cascade Range or Cascades is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as many of those in the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades. The small part of the range in British Columbia is referred to as the Canadian Cascades or, locally, as the Cascade Mountains. The highest peak in the range is Mount Rainier in Washington at 14,411 feet (4,392 m).
The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) deep, the canyon stretches for over eighty miles (130 km) as the river winds westward through the Cascade Range, forming the boundary between the state of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south. Extending roughly from the confluence of the Columbia with the Deschutes River in the east down to the eastern reaches of the Portland metropolitan area, the water gap furnishes the only navigable route through the Cascades and the only water connection between the Columbia Plateau and the Pacific Ocean. It is thus that the routes of Interstate 84, U.S. Route 30, Washington State Route 14, and railroad tracks on both sides run through the gorge.
The Yacolt Burn is the collective name for dozens of fires in Washington state and Oregon occurring between September 8 and September 12, 1902, causing 38 deaths in the Lewis River area, at least nine deaths by fire in Wind River and 18 deaths in the Columbia River Gorge.
Columbia Gorge is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses a region within the 40 miles (64 km) Columbia River Gorge and straddles the Oregon and Washington state border. The AVA was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on July 9, 2004 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mark Wharry, on behalf of the Columbia River Gorge Wine Growers Association, proposing the viticultural area named "Columbia Gorge." The 280 square miles AVA is located about 60 miles (97 km) east of Portland, Oregon, straddles the Columbia River for 15 miles (24 km), and extends into south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. The area surrounds Hood River, Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington, and is generally bordered by B Z Corner, Washington, on the north; Lyle, Washington, on the east; Parkdale, Oregon, on the south; and Vinzenz Lausmann State Park, Oregon, on the west. The area lies due west with an adjacent border to the vast Columbia Valley viticultural area. Due to the significant gradations of climate and geography found in the gorge, the AVA exhibits a wide range of terroir in a relatively small region; it is marketed as a "world of wine in 40 miles".
Badger Mountain is a small mountain in Richland, Washington. Badger rises above the Tri-Cities connected to the smaller Candy Mountain via Goose Gap, is visible throughout much of the area and is a popular hiking destination for a wide variety of climbers. There are a number of trails climbing the mountain with varying levels of difficulty. There are two summits on Badger Mountain, named the East Summit and the West Summit. The West Summit is the highest.
Azurite Peak is an 8,434-foot (2,571-metre) double-summit mountain located at the common boundary point of Okanogan County, Skagit County, and Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Azurite Peak ranks as the 81st-highest summit in the state. Azurite Peak is situated north of Azurite Pass on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Tower Mountain, 5.24 miles (8.43 km) to the south-southeast, and Mount Ballard lies 1.97 miles (3.17 km) to the north. Remnants of a small pocket glacier are found on the east aspect. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains north into tributaries of the Skagit River, and south into the Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises over 3,000 feet above Mill Creek in one mile (1.6 km). The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the base of Azurite Peak.
Porcupine Peak is a 7,762-foot-elevation (2,366-meter) mountain located in Skagit County of Washington state.
Huckleberry Mountain is a 6,320+ ft summit located on the shared border of King County and Kittitas County in Washington state.
Tamanos Mountain is a 6,790-foot (2,070 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range. Tamanos Mountain is situated west of Governors Ridge and northeast of the Cowlitz Chimneys, all of which can be seen from the Sunrise Historic District. The name tamanos derives from Chinook Jargon and has the meaning of guardian spirit. This landform's toponym was officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names in 1932. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,100 feet above the White River in approximately 1.5 mile. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail, and from the lakes scrambling up the south slope to the summit.
Hidden Lake Peaks is series of peaks with a maximum elevation of 7,088 feet that are located in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. The peaks extend three miles southwest from the nearest higher peak called The Triad. Situated on the western boundary of North Cascades National Park, Hidden Lake Peaks are positioned west of the crest of the Cascade Range, approximately ten miles east of the town of Marblemount. The popular subsidiary peak, Hidden Lake Lookout (6890 ft), lies a half mile to the southwest of the highest summit. The mountain's name is taken from its proximity to Hidden Lake which lies in a cirque below the east aspect of these two main peaks. Precipitation runoff from Hidden Lake Peaks drains into Cascade River which is a tributary of the Skagit River.
Crystal Peak is a 6,595-foot summit located in eastern Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. Crystal Peak is situated 0.75 mi (1.21 km) northwest of Chinook Peak, and nearly on the crest of the Cascade Range. Crystal Mountain and Crystal Lakes lie immediately to the northeast, and Three Way Peak is 1.09 mi (1.75 km) to the east. Access to the summit is via a hiking trail which branches off from the Crystal Lakes Trail. That trailhead starts along Highway 410, which traverses the western base of the mountain. Precipitation runoff from Crystal Peak drains into tributaries of the White River.
Painted Mountain is a 6,975-foot-elevation (2,126-meter) summit located in the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. The mountain is situated in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Neighbors include line parent Black Mountain, 2.2 mi (3.5 km) to the east, and Glacier Peak is 7 mi (11 km) to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains west into tributaries of the North Fork Sauk River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 5,000 feet above the river in less than two miles.
Kelly Butte is a 5,417-foot-elevation (1,651-meter) summit located in the southeast corner of King County in Washington state. It is set on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It is situated 3.1 mi (5.0 km) northwest of Colquhoun Peak and five miles west of the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from Kelly Butte drains into tributaries of the Green River. Topographic relief is significant as the west aspect rises 3,000 feet above Rock Creek in one mile. Access is via the 1.7-mile Kelly Butte Trail which leads to a restored, historical fire lookout tower originally constructed in 1926 and occupies the summit. Flora along the trail includes lilies, bear grass, Indian paintbrush, penstemon, arnica, columbine, lupine, phlox, and huckleberry. This geographical feature's name has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Mount Bullen is a 5,978-foot-elevation (1,822 m) mountain summit located at the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is situated 20 mi (32 km) east of the community of Arlington, Washington, in the Boulder River Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Nearby neighbors include line parent Whitehorse Mountain, 1.44 mi (2.32 km) to the northeast and Three Fingers, 1.84 mi (2.96 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into headwaters of the Boulder River. Topographic relief is significant as the southeast aspect rises 2,000 feet above Bullen Lake in approximately one-half mile, and the west aspect rises 4,200 feet above Boulder River in two miles.
Glee Peak is a 7,180-foot-elevation (2,190-meter) mountain summit located in Whatcom County of Washington state, United States. It is set within North Cascades National Park and Stephen Mather Wilderness, where it is situated 1.7 mile north of The Roost and one mile south of Azure Lake. The nearest higher neighbor is McMillan Spire, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) to the north-northwest. Glee Peak is part of the Picket Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades, and 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 northeast aspect rises 4,000 feet above Stetattle Creek in approximately one mile, and the southwest aspect rises 6,000 feet above Goodell Creek in three miles. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into these two creeks which are both tributaries of the Skagit River. Who made the first ascent of the summit is unknown, but Glee Davis and Burton Babcock were climbing in the immediate area as early as 1905.
Tinkham Peak is a double summit mountain located on the common boundary of King County and Kittitas County in Washington state.
Mailbox Peak is a 4,841-foot-elevation (1,476 m) mountain located in King County of Washington state. It is set west of the crest of the Cascade Range, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mailbox Peak is situated seven miles east of North Bend, and one mile northeast above the Washington State Fire Training Academy. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into the South Fork Snoqualmie River, whereas the north side drains to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie. The summit lies along a ridge containing Dirtybox Peak, its topographical parent, and Dirty Harry's Peak. Topographic relief is significant as the northwest aspect rises nearly 4,100 feet above the Middle Fork in 1.25 mile. The popular Mailbox Peak Trail gains 4,100 feet of elevation over 5.5 miles. Prior to 2014 when the new trail was completed, climbing Mailbox Peak involved 4,000 feet gain in only 2.6 miles along an unmaintained route that was used for conditioning for major climbs, and recruits from the Fire Training Academy would celebrate graduation by carrying a fire hydrant to the summit. The peak is named for a mailbox at the top which functions as the summit register, but this toponym has not been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
French Cabin Mountain is a triple-peak mountain located in Kittitas County of Washington state. The highest summit is West Peak, elevation 5,724-feet, the South Peak is 5,560-feet-elevation, and the North Peak is 5,498-feet. French Cabin Mountain is situated six miles north of Easton, between Kachess Lake and Cle Elum Lake, on land managed by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into French Cabin Creek and south into Silver Creek, which are both part of the Yakima River drainage basin. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 1,700 feet above Silver Creek in one mile, and the east aspect rises 3,400 feet above Cle Elum Lake in one and a half miles (2.4 km). French Cabin Mountain is the toponym officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, however "Frenchman Mountain" is a variant. West Peak is also an official toponym.
Knight Peak is a 2,235-meter-elevation (7,333-foot) mountain summit located in the Cheam Range of British Columbia, Canada.
Kennedy Peak is an 8,381-foot (2,555-metre) summit in Snohomish County, Washington, United States.