Whittier Peak
| Whittier Peak | |
|---|---|
 Whittier Peak centered. Viewed from Clark Mountain | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,281 ft (2,219 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 521 ft (159 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | Mount David (7,420 ft)[1] |
| Isolation | 2.23 mi (3.59 km)[2] |
| Coordinates | 47°56′49″N 121°01′55″W / 47.94694°N 121.03194°W[1] |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | John Greenleaf Whittier |
| Geography | |
  Whittier Peak Location in Washington  Whittier Peak Location in the United States | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Chelan |
| Protected area | Glacier Peak Wilderness |
| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Poe Mountain |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling |
Whittier Peak is a 7,281-foot (2,219-metre) mountain summit located in the
topographer
, and forest supervisor in the Cascades who named thousands of natural features. Other peaks in the immediate vicinity named by Sylvester after poets include Irving Peak, Poe Mountain, Longfellow Mountain, and Bryant 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 the various climate differences.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured and shaped the landscape.[4] 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.
Climate
Whittier Peak is located in 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 snow onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[5] 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.[5] 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).[5]
See also
- List of mountain peaks of Washington (state)
References
- ^ a b c d e "Whittier Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
- ^ "Whittier Peak - 7,281' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
- ^ "Whittier Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
- ^ a b c d Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
- ^ a b c d e f Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
External links
- Weather forecast: Whittier Peak