Easy Peak
Northwest aspect seen from Copper Ridge
(Picket Range behind)
Highest point
Elevation6,613 ft (2,016 m)[1]
Prominence373 ft (114 m)[1]
Parent peakMineral Mountain (6,800+ ft)[2]
Isolation1.98 mi (3.19 km)[2]
Coordinates48°51′34″N 121°25′13″W / 48.859485°N 121.420209°W / 48.859485; -121.420209[1]
Geography
Easy Peak is located in Washington (state)
Easy Peak
Easy Peak
Location in Washington
Easy Peak is located in the United States
Easy Peak
Easy Peak
Easy Peak (the United States)
LocationNorth Cascades National Park
Whatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeCascade Range
North Cascades
Skagit Range
Topo mapUSGS Mount Blum
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 2 hiking

Easy Peak is a 6,613-foot (2,016-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades, in Whatcom County of Washington state.[3][4] Easy Peak is situated in North Cascades National Park, and is often climbed during the Easy Ridge approach to Mount Challenger and the remote northern Pickets. Its nearest higher neighbor is Mineral Mountain, 2 mi (3.2 km) to the west, and Whatcom Peak is set 2.1 mi (3.4 km) to the east.[1] Glacierets line the north slope of Easy Ridge between Easy Peak and Whatcom Peak. Precipitation runoff from this peak drains north into the Chilliwack River, or south into headwaters of the Baker River.

Climate

Easy Peak 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, 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. 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] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

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. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

Easy Peak centered, from north

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.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Easy Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. 1 2 "Easy Peak - 6,613' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  3. "Easy Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Beckey, Fred W. (2008). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. 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.
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