Hock Mountain

Hock Mountain is a 7,750-foot-elevation (2,362 meter) summit located in the Methow Mountains, a subset of the North Cascades in Washington state.[3] It is situated on the triple-shared boundary of North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, as well as the shared border between Chelan County and Okanogan County. Additionally, it lies one mile southwest of Twisp Mountain, and 2.24 miles (3.60 km) due south of Stiletto Peak, the nearest higher neighbor.[1] The north face is steep, granitic rock, but the west slope is more moderate, allowing a scramble ascent.[5] Precipitation runoff from the north and west sides of Hock drains to the Stehekin River via Bridge Creek, whereas the south and east sides of the mountain drain into the South Fork Twisp River.

Hock Mountain
Northwest aspect beyond the forested ridge
Highest point
Elevation7,750 ft (2,362 m)[1]
Prominence790 ft (240 m)[1]
Parent peakMother Lode (7,905 ft)[2]
Isolation2.43 mi (3.91 km)[2]
Coordinates48°27′05″N 120°40′02″W[3]
Geography
Hock Mountain is located in Washington (state)
Hock Mountain
Hock Mountain
Location in Washington
Hock Mountain is located in the United States
Hock Mountain
Hock Mountain
Hock Mountain (the United States)
LocationChelan County / Okanogan County
Washington, United States
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS McAlester Mountain
Climbing
Easiest routescrambling[4]

Climate

Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North 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. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences 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] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger.[5]

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.[6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[6] 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.

See also

Geography of the North Cascades

References
  1. "Hock Mountain". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  2. "Hock Mountain WA - 7,750'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  3. "Hock Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  4. Peggy Goldman, 75 Scrambles in Washington: Classic Routes to the Summits, 2001, Mountaineers Books, ISBN 9780898867619.
  5. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  6. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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