Copper Mountain (Mason County, Washington)

Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises nearly 4,700 feet (1,433 m) above the Staircase Ranger Station at Lake Cushman in approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km). Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains north into the Hamma Hamma River, and south into the North Fork Skokomish River, thence Lake Cushman

marine west coast climate zone of western North America.^[6] Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow. As a result, the Olympics experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.^[7] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. 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.^[7] The months April through October offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing.^[2]