Tomyhoi Peak

Tomyhoi Peak is a 7,439-foot (2,267-metre) Skagit Range mountain situated one mile south of the Canada–United States border, in the North Cascades of Washington state. It is located west of Mount Larrabee and within the Mount Baker Wilderness, which is part of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1913 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[4]

Tomyhoi Peak
Tomyhoi Peak seen from Canada
Highest point
Elevation7,439 ft (2,267 m)  NAVD 88[1]
Prominence2,035 ft (620 m) [1]
Parent peakMount Larrabee[2][1]
Isolation2.46 mi (3.96 km) [2]
Coordinates48°58′30″N 121°42′35″W [1]
Geography
Tomyhoi Peak
Location in Washington
Tomyhoi Peak
Tomyhoi Peak (the United States)
Location
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Mount Larrabee
Climbing
First ascent1927 Lage Wernstedt[3]
Easiest routeScrambling

The nearest higher peak is Canadian Border Peak, 2.4 miles (3.9 km) to the northeast.[1] Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into Tomyhoi Lake and Tomyhoi Creek, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into Damfino Creek. The unofficially named Tomyhoi Glacier lies on its north flank. The summit offers views of Mount Larrabee, American Border Peak, Canadian Border Peak, Mount Shuksan, and Mount Baker.

Access

The Keep Kool Trail (#699) is accessed by the Twin Lakes Road (Forest Service #3065 in the North Fork Nooksack area) off of the Mount Baker Highway. The first 4.5 miles (7.2 km) to the Keep Kool trailhead is well maintained.

Climate

Tomyhoi Peak 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.

Tomyhoi Peak and Canadian Border Peak

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.[3] 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).[3] 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. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to various climate differences.

Tomyhoi seen from Mt. McGuire in Canada

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 and shaped the landscape.[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
The rugged west face of Tomyhoi Peak
  1. "Tomyhoi Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
  2. "Tomyhoi Peak - 7,435' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. "Tomyhoi Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  5. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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