| Black Peak | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Black Peak viewed from near Wing Lake | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,975 ft (2,736 m)[1] NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,450 ft (1,050 m)[1] |
| Isolation | 5.2 mi (8.4 km)[1] |
| Coordinates | 48°31′25″N120°48′58″W / 48.52361°N 120.81611°W /48.52361; -120.81611[1] |
| Geography | |
  Black Peak Location of Black Peak in Washington | |
| Location | Border ofChelan andSkagit Counties,Washington, United States[2] |
| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Arriva quadrangle[2] |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1926, Lage Wernstedt[3] |
Black Peak is a tall peak in theCascade Range in theU.S. state ofWashington. It lies in theStephen Mather Wilderness andNorth Cascades National Park. At 8,975 feet (2,736 m) in elevation it is the 20th-highest peak in Washington.[1] Black Peaks'sprominence is 3,450 feet (1,050 m), making it the 35th-most prominent peak in Washington. The nearest higher peak isGoode Mountain, 5.2 miles (8.4 km) to the west-southwest.[1]
Thefirst ascent of this peak was made in 1926 by US Forest Service surveyor, Lage Wernsterdt.[3] He also gave it the name Black Peak. In 1983, there was a proposal to rename the peak "Mount Wernstedt" in his honor, but was later withdrawn.[2]
The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in theCascade Range with craggy peaks, granite spires, 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.[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.
Mostweather fronts originate in thePacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward theCascade 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 or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences higher precipitation than the east side, 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]
Places adjacent to Black Peak (Washington) | |
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