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Sourdough Mountain (Whatcom County, Washington)

Coordinates: 48°45′07″N 121°07′41″W / 48.75194°N 121.12806°W / 48.75194; -121.12806
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sourdough Mountain
Sourdough Mountain seen from Diablo Lake
Highest point
Elevation6,111 ft (1,863 m)[1]
Prominence227 ft (69 m)[1]
Coordinates48°45′07″N 121°07′41″W / 48.75194°N 121.12806°W / 48.75194; -121.12806[2]
Geography
Sourdough Mountain is located in Washington (state)
Sourdough Mountain
Sourdough Mountain
Location in Washington
Sourdough Mountain is located in the United States
Sourdough Mountain
Sourdough Mountain
Location in the United States
LocationWhatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Mount Prophet
Climbing
Easiest routeHike

Sourdough Mountain (6,111 feet (1,863 m)) is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] The Sourdough Mountain Lookout, is a fire lookout that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 near the summit. The lookout was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.[4]

Climate

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Sourdough Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward 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 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.[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] 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.[6] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[6]

Geology

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The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep 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. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and 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 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.

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Sourdough Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  2. ^ "Sourdough Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  3. ^ Mount Prophet, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  4. ^ Luxenberg, Gretchen (1984). "Sourdough Mountain Lookout" (pdf). Structure Survey. National Park Service. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Beckey, p. 15
  6. ^ a b Beckey, p. 16
  7. ^ a b c d Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.