Middle Peak (Washington)

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Coordinates: 48°59′43″N 121°28′39″W / 48.9953725°N 121.4775165°W / 48.9953725; -121.4775165
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Middle Peak
Northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation7,464 ft (2,275 m)[1][2]
Prominence870 ft (265 m)[2]
Parent peakMount Lindeman (7,585 ft)[3]
Isolation1.61 mi (2.59 km)[3]
Coordinates48°59′43″N 121°28′39″W / 48.9953725°N 121.4775165°W / 48.9953725; -121.4775165[4]
Geography
Middle Peak is located in Washington (state)
Middle Peak
Middle Peak
Location in Washington
Middle Peak is located in the United States
Middle Peak
Middle Peak
Middle Peak (the United States)
CountryUnited States
State
Washington
CountyWhatcom
Protected areaNorth Cascades National Park
Parent rangeCascade Range
North Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Copper Mountain
Climbing
First ascent1908

Middle Peak is a 7,464-foot-elevation (2,275-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades in Whatcom County of Washington state.

Description

Middle Peak is set one-third mile south of the

Chilliwack River
.

History

The first ascent of the peak's 7,160-foot-elevation southwest summit was made July 8, 1859, by surveyor Henry Custer and party during a reconnaissance.[1][5] The first ascent of Middle Peak was made June 30, 1908, by James J. McArthur, a Canadian surveyor of the International Boundary Commission.[1] Paragliders have lifted off from the summit and landed at the upper end of Chilliwack Lake.[1]

Climate

South aspect

Middle Peak is located in the

Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (orographic lift), 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.[1] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[1] 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.[1] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C).[1]
This climate supports small glacial remnants on the north slope above Hanging Lake. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Geology

The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the

glacial valleys
. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to various climate differences.

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.[6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[6] 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. ^
    Cascade Alpine Guide (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books
    .
  2. ^ a b c "Middle Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Middle Peak – 7,464' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  4. ^ "Middle Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  5. ^ "Middle Peak – Southwest Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

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