Chair Peak (Washington)

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Coordinates: 47°27′35″N 121°28′01″W / 47.459786°N 121.46686°W / 47.459786; -121.46686
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Chair Peak
Chair Peak southeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation6,238 ft (1,901 m)[1]
Prominence878 ft (268 m)[1]
Parent peakKaleetan Peak (6,259 ft)
Isolation0.57 mi (0.92 km)[2]
Coordinates47°27′35″N 121°28′01″W / 47.459786°N 121.46686°W / 47.459786; -121.46686[1]
Geography
Chair Peak is located in Washington (state)
Chair Peak
Chair Peak
Location in Washington
Chair Peak is located in the United States
Chair Peak
Chair Peak
Location in the United States
CountryUnited States
State
Washington
CountyKing
Protected areaAlpine Lakes Wilderness[2]
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Snoqualmie Pass
Climbing
First ascent1913, Hec V. Abel and L.F. Curtis[3]
Easiest routeScrambling

Chair Peak is a 6,238 ft (1,900 m) mountain summit located in east

Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 2,200 feet (670 m) above Snow Lake in 0.5 mi (0.80 km). The nearest higher neighbor is Kaleetan Peak, 0.57 miles (0.92 km) to the west-northwest.[1]

Climate

Chair Peak is located in the

snowfall 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[3] 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.[3]
The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Geology

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the

glacial valleys, and granite walls spotted with over 700 mountain lakes.[4] 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. The elevation range of this area is between about 1,000 feet (300 m) in the lower elevations to over 9,000 feet (2,700 m) on Mount Stuart
.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late

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 last glacial retreat in the Alpine Lakes area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago.[5] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of that 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 Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.

Gallery

  • South aspect from Granite Mtn
    South aspect from Granite Mtn
  • Chair Peak from Kendall Peak
    Chair Peak from Kendall Peak
  • Chair Peak seen from Bandera Mountain
    Chair Peak seen from Bandera Mountain
  • Kaleetan Peak (left) and Chair Peak (right) viewed from Noble Knob.
    Kaleetan Peak (left) and Chair Peak (right) viewed from Noble Knob.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Chair Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ a b "Chair Peak - 6,238' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  3. ^ a b c d Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. ^ Smoot, Jeff (2004). Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Helena, Montana: The Globe Pequot Press.
  5. ^ a b c d e Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

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