| Mineral Mountain | |
|---|---|
 Mineral Mountain seen from Copper Ridge | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,800+ ft (2,070+ m)[1] |
| Prominence | 2,080 ft (630 m)[1] |
| Parent peak | Ruth Mountain (7,115 ft)[2] |
| Isolation | 3.15 mi (5.07 km)[2] |
| Coordinates | 48°51′35″N121°27′49″W / 48.85966°N 121.463698°W /48.85966; -121.463698[1] |
| Geography | |
  Mineral Mountain Location in Washington Show map of Washington (state) Mineral Mountain Mineral Mountain (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
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| Interactive map of Mineral Mountain | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Whatcom |
| Protected area | North Cascades National Park |
| Parent range | Cascade Range North Cascades Skagit Range |
| Topo map | USGSMount Blum |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scramble |
Mineral Mountain is a 6,800-foot (2,100-metre) mountain summit in theSkagit Range of theNorth Cascades ofWashington state.[3] Mineral Mountain is situated inNorth Cascades National Park and the summit offers views ofMount Shuksan,Icy Peak, and thePicket Range.Easy Peak is set 2 mi (3.2 km) to the east, and the nearest higher neighbor isRuth Mountain, 3.06 mi (4.92 km) to the west.[1] Precipitationrunoff from Mineral Mountain finds its way north into theChilliwack River, and south into theBaker River.
Mineral Mountain is located in themarine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3]Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean typically move northeast toward theCascade Mountains. As fronts approach theNorth Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall 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. 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 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 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.
