Mount Benzarino

Mount Benzarino is a 7,760+ ft (2,370+ m) mountain summit located in North Cascades National Park, in Chelan County of Washington state.[4] It is situated in the North Cascades, a subset of the Cascade Range. The nearest higher neighbor is Corteo Peak, 1.67 miles (2.69 km) to the northeast, and Black Peak is set 2.34 miles (3.77 km) to the north.[1] Corteo Peak and Mount Benzarino were named by Forest Service surveyor, Lage Wernstedt, for the names of Basque sheepherders he met near these two mountains.[5][6] Lage Wernstedt made the first ascent of Benzarino in 1926. Remnants of a small glacier hang on its north flank, and precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of Bridge Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Stehekin River.

Mount Benzarino
Benzarino's east aspect seen from Maple Pass Trail
Highest point
Elevation7,760 ft (2,370 m) [1]
Prominence720 ft (220 m) [1]
Parent peakCorteo Peak (8,080 ft)[2]
Isolation1.66 mi (2.67 km) [2]
Coordinates48°29′23″N 120°49′02″W [1]
Geography
Mount Benzarino
Location of Mount Benzarino in Washington
Mount Benzarino
Mount Benzarino (the United States)
LocationNorth Cascades National Park
Chelan County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS McGregor Mountain
Climbing
First ascent1926, Lage Wernstedt[3]
Easiest routeclass 3 scrambling[2]

Climate

Mount Benzarino is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3] 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 experience 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] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[3]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. 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.

References
  1. "Mount Benzarino, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Benzarino, Mount - 7,740' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. "Mount Benzarino". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  5. June Burn, Bellingham Herald, January 27, 1932
  6. https://methownet.com/gristarchive/features/wernstedt.html
  7. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

See also
  • View from Maple Pass Trail with Benzarino (left), Corteo Peak (center), and Black Peak (right)
  • Mt. Benzarino in lower half of frame, seen from Black Peak. Note small glacier below summit. (McGregor Mountain in upper left)
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