Cutthroat Peak

Cutthroat Peak is an 8,050-foot-elevation (2,450-meter) granitic mountain located on the boundary of Chelan County and Skagit County, in Washington state.[4] The mountain is part of the Okanagan Range which is a subset of the Cascade Range, and is situated within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Cutthroat Peak is about two miles west of Washington Pass and one mile east of Rainy Pass. It's a prominent landmark along the North Cascades Highway with an accessible climbing route (South Buttress class 5.8). There is also a Cutthroat Lake, Cutthroat Creek, and Cutthroat Pass on its north and east aspects. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1988 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[4] Molar Tooth is a granite pillar half a mile north on the ridge extending to Cutthroat Pass.

Cutthroat Peak
South aspect
Highest point
Elevation8,050 ft (2,450 m)[1]
Prominence1,730 ft (530 m)[1]
Parent peakKangaroo Ridge (8,280+ ft)[2]
Isolation3.98 mi (6.41 km)[2]
Coordinates48°31′35″N 120°42′13″W[1]
Geography
Cutthroat Peak is located in Washington (state)
Cutthroat Peak
Cutthroat Peak
Location in Washington
Cutthroat Peak is located in the United States
Cutthroat Peak
Cutthroat Peak
Cutthroat Peak (the United States)
LocationSkagit County / Chelan County
Washington, US
Parent rangeOkanagan Range
North Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Washington Pass
Geology
Type of rockGranite
Climbing
First ascentJuly 22, 1937 by Kenneth Adam, Raffi Bedayn[3]
Easiest routeclass 4 climbing[2]

Climate

Cutthroat Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North 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.[5] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C).[5] 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.[6] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[6]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial 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 the ecoregions in this area.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[7]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[7] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

See also

References
  1. "Cutthroat Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Cutthroat Peak - 8,050' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 302. ISBN 978-1-59485-136-0.
  4. "Cutthroat Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  5. Beckey, p. 15
  6. Beckey, p. 16
  7. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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