Cascade Peak
Cascade Peak seen from Sahale Arm
Highest point
Elevation7,428 ft (2,264 m)[1]
Prominence628 ft (191 m)[1]
Parent peakJohannesburg Mountain (8200 ft)
Isolation0.55 mi (0.89 km)[2]
Coordinates48°27′48″N 121°04′49″W / 48.46345°N 121.080324°W / 48.46345; -121.080324[1]
Geography
Cascade Peak is located in Washington (state)
Cascade Peak
Cascade Peak
Location in Washington
Cascade Peak is located in the United States
Cascade Peak
Cascade Peak
Cascade Peak (the United States)
LocationSkagit County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Cascade Pass
Geology
Type of rockBreccia
Climbing
First ascentJuly 23, 1950 by Fred Beckey, Pete Schoening, Phil Sharpe[3]
Easiest routeglacier travel, class 3-4 scrambling[3]

Cascade Peak is a 7,428-foot (2,264-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County of Washington state. It is in the North Cascades, which is a subrange of the Cascade Range. The peak is situated above Cascade Pass, on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Glacier Peak Wilderness. The nearest higher peak is Johannesburg Mountain, 0.53 miles (0.85 km) to the west-southwest, and The Triplets stand guard 0.35 miles (0.56 km) to the east-southeast.[1] Surface runoff from the mountain drains into the Cascade River.

Climate

Cascade Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3] 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, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. 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] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[4]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and 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.

Cascade Peak from Cascade Pass trail

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. Small glacier remnants remain on the north side of Cascade Peak.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Cascade Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ "Cascade Peak - 7,428' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  3. 1 2 3 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. 1 2 Beckey, p. 16
  5. 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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