Custer Ridge

Custer Ridge (Mount Custer) (8,630 feet (2,630 m)) is a ridge in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] Located in the northern section of the park, Custer Ridge rises to the west of Silver Lake, 1.4 mi (2.3 km) north-northwest of Mount Spickard. The high point along Custer Ridge is a peak tentatively named Mount Custer, which lies near the southwestern end of the ridge.[1] Custer Ridge extends beyond the Canada–US border.

Custer Ridge (Mount Custer)
Custer Ridge (Mount Custer)
Location in Washington
Custer Ridge (Mount Custer)
Location in the United States
Highest point
Elevation8,630 ft (2,630 m) [1]
Prominence1,230 ft (370 m) [1]
Coordinates48°59′36″N 121°14′33″W [2]
Geography
LocationWhatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Mount Spickard

Climate

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 (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. 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.[4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[4]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and 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.[5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[5]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[5] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are 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.

References
  1. "Mount Custer, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  2. "Custer Ridge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  3. Mount Spickard, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  4. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  5. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
  • Mount Custer photo: Flickr (Mt. Custer on right side)


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