Lookout Mountain (Washington)

Lookout Mountain is a 5,699-foot (1,737 m)-elevation summit in the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state.[3] It's located five miles east-northeast of the town of Marblemount, and set on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Teebone Ridge, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east-northeast.[1] At the top of Lookout Mountain is a historic US Forest Service lookout station that was built in 1962, which replaced a 1929 structure. Views from the top include Sauk Mountain to the west, with Eldorado Peak and the Picket Range in North Cascades National Park to the east and north respectively. The peak is just one mile outside the park boundary. Access is via a 4.7 mile trail which gains over 4,400 feet of elevation. Precipitation runoff from Lookout Mountain drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.

Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain, east aspect
Highest point
Elevation5,699 ft (1,737 m) [1]
Prominence1,139 ft (347 m) [1]
Parent peakLittle Devil Peak[2]
Isolation3.17 mi (5.10 km) [2]
Coordinates48°33′07″N 121°19′46″W [3]
Geography
Lookout Mountain
Location in Washington
Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain (the United States)
LocationSkagit County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Big Devil Peak
Climbing
Easiest routeHiking trail

Climate

Lookout Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] 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 (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.[4] 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).[4] 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 avalanche danger.[4]

Geology

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.[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.

See also

References
  1. "Lookout Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Lookout Mountain - 5,699' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  3. "Lookout Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  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.
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