| Big Kangaroo | |
|---|---|
 Big Kangaroo seen fromWallaby Peak | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,326 ft (2,538 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,077 ft (328 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | Snagtooth Ridge[2] |
| Isolation | 1.68 mi (2.70 km)[2] |
| Coordinates | 48°31′09″N120°37′03″W / 48.519243°N 120.6175°W /48.519243; -120.6175 |
| Geography | |
  Big Kangaroo Location in Washington Show map of Washington (state) Big Kangaroo Big Kangaroo (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
 | |
| Interactive map of Big Kangaroo | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Okanogan |
| Protected area | Okanogan National Forest[2] |
| Parent range | Cascade Range North Cascades Methow Mountains |
| Topo map | USGSSilver Star Mountain |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | 45 million years old |
| Rock type | (Rapakivi texture)granite |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1942Fred Beckey |
Big Kangaroo is an 8,326-foot (2,538-metre) mountainsummit inOkanogan County,Washington, United States.
The granitic mountain is part of the Methow Mountains which are a subrange of theCascade Range.[1] Big Kangaroo is the high point ofKangaroo Ridge which rises about two miles east and within view ofWashington Pass. The nearest higher neighbor isSnagtooth Ridge, 1.7 mi (2.7 km) to the northeast.[1] Precipitationrunoff from the peak drains into Early Winters Creek which is a tributary of theMethow River.Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) above Early Winters Creek in one mile (1.6 km). Thefirst ascent of the summit was made by brothers Helmy andFred Beckey, along with Walt Varney on June 21, 1942.[3]
Big Kangaroo is located in themarine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3] Mostweather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel east toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach theNorth Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain orsnowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[3] Because ofmaritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in highavalanche danger.[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]
The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in theCascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deepglacial 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 theecoregions in this area.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the lateEocene Epoch.[4] With theNorth American Plate overriding thePacific Plate, episodes ofvolcanic igneous activity persisted.[4] In addition, small fragments of theoceanic andcontinental lithosphere calledterranes created theNorth Cascades about 50 million years ago.[4]
During thePleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[4] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation.Uplift andfaulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.
