McGregor Mountain (Washington)

McGregor Mountain is an 8,122-foot (2,476-metre) elevation massif located in the Stehekin Valley of the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state.[4] McGregor Mountain is situated northwest of Lake Chelan in the northern Methow Mountains, on the shared border of North Cascades National Park and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The closest community is Stehekin, and the nearest higher neighbor is Goode Mountain, 7.3 miles (11.7 km) to the northwest.[1] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Stehekin River. Topographic relief is significant since the southern aspect of the mountain rises 6,600 feet above this river in approximately two miles. The famous Pacific Crest Trail traverses the western base of this mountain, and the strenuous 7.7-mile (12.4 km) McGregor Mountain Trail gains 6,400 feet (1,920 m) of elevation to take hikers within a half-mile of the summit. Reaching the summit requires exposed scrambling the final 1,100 feet (330 m), and an ice axe is needed if the trail remains covered by snowpack.[5] The summit was the site of an old fire lookout cabin from 1923 until 1955, but now has a radio repeater for the National Park Service. The views from the top include Glacier Peak, Black Peak, Corteo Peak, Frisco Mountain, Tupshin Peak, Dome Peak, Glory Mountain, and many others. This mountain was named for Billy McGregor, a Stehekin Valley resident who had a cabin and homestead at the base of this mountain during the 1890s.[3] In May of 1901, Billy disappeared overnight from a boat docked in Lake Chelan, and was never seen or heard from again.[6]

McGregor Mountain
Southeast aspect, from Stehekin
Highest point
Elevation8,122 ft (2,476 m) [1]
Prominence2,122 ft (647 m) [1]
Isolation7 mi (11 km) [2]
Coordinates48°24′29″N 120°47′54″W [1]
Geography
McGregor Mountain
Location of McGregor Mountain in Washington
McGregor Mountain
McGregor Mountain (the United States)
LocationChelan County, Washington, US
Parent rangeCascade Range
North Cascades
Methow Mountains
Topo mapUSGS McGregor Mountain
Geology
Type of rockSkagit gneiss[3]
Climbing
Easiest routeScrambling southwest ridge

Climate

McGregor Mountain has an alpine climate which supports the Sandalee Glacier on its northern slopes. 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.[3]

Geology
McGregor Mountain's south aspect. Enlarge to see the repeater visible on the summit

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires. 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 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
  • Sandalee Glacier and McGregor in upper left
    (Mount Benzarino in lower half of frame)
  • McGregor in upper right

References
  1. "McGregor Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "McGregor Mountain - 8,122' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008. page 289.
  4. "McGregor Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  5. McGregor Mountain Trail NPS
  6. Tom Hackenmiller, Ladies of the Lake: Tales of Transportation, Tragedy, and Triumph on Lake Chelan, Point Publishing, 1998, page 50.
  7. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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