Iron Cap Mountain

Coordinates: 47°33′14″N 121°17′08″W / 47.553833°N 121.285424°W / 47.553833; -121.285424
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Iron Cap Mountain
East aspect
Highest point
Elevation6,347 ft (1,935 m)[1][2]
Prominence787 ft (240 m)[1]
Parent peakBig Snow Mountain (6,680 ft)[3]
Isolation1.74 mi (2.80 km)[3]
Coordinates47°33′14″N 121°17′08″W / 47.553833°N 121.285424°W / 47.553833; -121.285424[1]
Geography
Iron Cap Mountain is located in Washington (state)
Iron Cap Mountain
Iron Cap Mountain
Location in Washington
Iron Cap Mountain is located in the United States
Iron Cap Mountain
Iron Cap Mountain
Iron Cap Mountain (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State
class 2-3 scrambling North Ridge[4]

Iron Cap Mountain is a 6,347-foot (1,935-metre) mountain summit located two miles west-northwest of Dutch Miller Gap, in east

relief is significant since Iron Cap rises 2,500 feet above the Middle Fork Snoqalmie River Valley in less than one mile. Its neighbors include La Bohn Peak, 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the east, and Little Big Chief Mountain, 2.14 miles (3.44 km) to the southeast.[1]

Climate

Northeast aspect in winter

Iron Cap Mountain is located in the

Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). 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 avalanche danger.[2] This climate supports a small ice remnant on the east side of the peak, and another in the northwest cirque.[2] 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.[2]
The months of 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.[6] 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.[7]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[7] 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.[7] 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.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Iron Cap Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Iron Cap Mountain - 6,347' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  4. ^ "Iron Cap Mountain". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  5. ^ "Iron Cap Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
  6. ^ Smoot, Jeff (2004). Backpacking Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Helena, Montana: The Globe Pequot Press.
  7. ^ 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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