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Skyscraper Mountain

Coordinates: 46°55′38″N 121°41′54″W / 46.9270870°N 121.6981987°W / 46.9270870; -121.6981987
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Skyscraper Mountain
Southeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation7,078 ft (2,157 m)[1]
Prominence398 ft (121 m)[1]
Parent peakMount Fremont (7,317 ft)[2]
Isolation1.19 mi (1.92 km)[2]
Coordinates46°55′38″N 121°41′54″W / 46.9270870°N 121.6981987°W / 46.9270870; -121.6981987[3]
Geography
Skyscraper Mountain is located in Washington (state)
Skyscraper Mountain
Skyscraper Mountain
Location in Washington
Skyscraper Mountain is located in the United States
Skyscraper Mountain
Skyscraper Mountain
Skyscraper Mountain (the United States)
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyPierce
Protected areaMount Rainier National Park
Parent rangeCascades
Topo mapUSGS Sunrise
Climbing
Easiest routeHiking trail class 2

Skyscraper Mountain is a 7,078-foot-elevation (2,157-meter) summit in Pierce County of Washington state.[3]

Description

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Skyscraper Mountain is part of the Cascade Range and is located in Mount Rainier National Park. It is situated northwest of the Sunrise Historic District, from which a four-mile hike leads to the mountain, mostly on the Wonderland Trail. However, the trail does not reach the summit, but it is still a walk up to the top from Skyscraper Pass. The summit provides views of Burroughs Mountain, Sluiskin Mountain, and Mount Rainier. Access is limited by snowpack closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. Precipitation runoff from Skyscraper Mountain drains into tributaries of the White River and topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,040 feet (927 m) above the river in one mile (1.6 km). Mount Fremont is the nearest higher peak, 1.1 mi (1.8 km) to the east.[1]

History

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The descriptive name Skyscraper Mountain came from its supposed resemblance to a modern style of architecture according to Edmond S. Meany.[4] The toponym was officially adopted in 1932 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[3]

Climate

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Skyscraper Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5] Most weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, 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 snow 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.[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]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Skyscraper Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ^ a b "Skyscraper Mountain - 7,078' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
  3. ^ a b c "Skyscraper Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  4. ^ Mount Rainier National Park Place Names. Gary Fuller Reese (author), 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
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