Cupalo Rock
Cupalo Rock is a 6,593-foot (2,010 m) summit located in Yakima County in Washington state. Cupalo Rock is situated two miles north-northeast of Chinook Pass, one mile east-northeast of Chinook Peak, and barely east of the crest of the Cascade Range. Its nearest higher peak is Three Way Peak, 0.42 mi (0.68 km) to the west-northwest.[1] Access for climbing Cupalo Rock is normally from the Pacific Crest Trail at Sourdough Gap. Precipitation runoff from Cupalo Rock drains into tributaries of the American River.
| Cupalo Rock | |
|---|---|
 Cupalo Rock seen from Chinook Pass | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,593 ft (2,010 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 193 ft (59 m)[1] |
| Coordinates | 46°53′59″N 121°29′39″W |
| Geography | |
  Cupalo Rock Location of Cupalo Rock in Washington  Cupalo Rock Cupalo Rock (the United States) | |
| Location | Pierce County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascades |
| Topo map | USGS Norse Peak |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1965, John Brottem and party[2] |
| Easiest route | Climbing class 5 |
Climate
Cupalo Rock is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[2] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, 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 Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Snowpack closes the highway through Chinook Pass seasonally, which is typically November through May. 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.
References
- "Cupalo Rock, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
- Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
