Lost Peak

Lost Peak is an 8,464-foot (2,580-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state.[4] It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a subset of the North Cascades. This remote mountain is situated 16 mi (26 km) north of Mazama, and 7 mi (11 km) northwest of Big Craggy Peak. It is set in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by Okanogan National Forest. Lost Peak ranks 62nd of Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 63rd on the "Bulger List".[1] Precipitation runoff from Lost Peak drains into tributaries of Lost River, which in turn is part of the Methow River drainage basin.

Lost Peak
Lost Peak, east aspect
Highest point
Elevation8,464 ft (2,580 m) [1]
Prominence1,624 ft (495 m) [1]
Parent peakMount Lago (8,745 ft)[2]
Isolation3.78 mi (6.08 km) [2]
ListingHighest Mountain Peaks in Washington
Coordinates48°48′46″N 120°27′30″W [1]
Geography
Lost Peak
Location in Washington
Lost Peak
Lost Peak (the United States)
LocationPasayten Wilderness
Okanogan County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeOkanogan Range
North Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Lost Peak
Climbing
First ascent1925 by Lage Wernstedt[3]
Easiest routeclass 3 scrambling[2] Southwest slope[3]

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, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, 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.[5]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[6] 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. "Lost Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Lost Peak - 8,464' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  3. "Lost Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  4. "Lost Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  5. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  6. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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