| Labyrinth Mountain | |
|---|---|
 Southwest aspect fromJove Peak | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,376 ft (1,943 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,736 ft (529 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | Rock Mountain (6,840 ft)[2] |
| Isolation | 4.87 mi (7.84 km)[2] |
| Coordinates | 47°51′11″N121°02′36″W / 47.852963°N 121.043226°W /47.852963; -121.043226[1] |
| Geography | |
  Labyrinth Mountain Location in Washington Show map of Washington (state) Labyrinth Mountain Location in the United States Show map of the United States | |
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| Interactive map of Labyrinth Mountain | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Chelan |
| Protected area | Henry M. Jackson Wilderness |
| Parent range | North Cascades Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGSLabyrinth Mountain |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | trail +class 2scrambling |
Labyrinth Mountain is a prominent 6,376 ft (1,940 m) mountain summit located 7.5 mi (12.1 km) north-northeast ofStevens Pass inChelan County ofWashington state.[3] This peak is situated 11 mi (18 km) west ofLake Wenatchee, in theHenry M. Jackson Wilderness, on land managed by theOkanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher neighbor isRock Mountain, 4.87 mi (7.84 km) to the southeast. Labyrinth Mountain was named byAlbert Hale Sylvester for the appearance of its complextopographic map contour lines, similar to aLabyrinth. In association withGreek mythology, he also namedMinotaur andTheseus Lakes on this mountain's southeast aspect.[4] Precipitationrunoff from the peak drains into tributaries of theLittle Wenatchee River.
Lying east of theCascade crest, the area around Labyrinth Mountain is a bit drier than areas to the west. Summers can bring warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms.Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel east toward theCascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the western slopes of the 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.[5] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.
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 various climate differences.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the lateEocene Epoch.[6] With theNorth American Plate overriding thePacific Plate, episodes ofvolcanic igneous activity persisted.[6]Glacier Peak, astratovolcano that is 18.2 mi (29.3 km) north of Labyrinth Mountain, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene.[5] In addition, small fragments of theoceanic andcontinental lithosphere calledterranes created theNorth Cascades about 50 million years ago.[6]
During thePleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured and shaped the landscape.[6] Glaciation was most prevalent approximately18,000 years ago, and most valleys were ice-free by12,000 years ago.[5]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.
