Cowlitz Chimneys

Cowlitz Chimneys are a group of four rhyolite towers located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state.[4] As part of the Cascade Range, the Cowlitz Chimneys are situated southwest of Tamanos Mountain and east of Banshee Peak, all of which are visible from the Sunrise Historic District. The Sarvant Glacier is set on the north aspect of these remnants of a volcanic plug. Cowlitz is the name of several geographical features in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as the state of Washington. The name appeared as early as the Lewis and Clark journals of 1805 when it was written as "Cowliskee" and has the Chinook Jargon meaning of "capturing the medicine spirit".[5]

  • Main (South) Cowlitz Chimney - 7,605 ft[1]
  • Central Cowlitz Chimney - 7,421 ft[1]
  • North Cowlitz Chimney - 7,015 ft[1]
  • Third Cowlitz Chimney - 6,640+ ft[6]
Cowlitz Chimneys
North Cowlitz Chimney seen from State Route 123
Highest point
Elevation7,605 ft (2,318 m) [1]
Prominence965 ft (294 m) [1]
Parent peakLittle Tahoma Peak (11,138 ft)[2]
Isolation4.84 mi (7.79 km) [2]
Coordinates46°50′56″N 121°36′34″W 
Geography
Cowlitz Chimneys
Location of Cowlitz Chimneys in Washington
Cowlitz Chimneys
Cowlitz Chimneys (the United States)
LocationMount Rainier National Park
Pierce County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeCascades
Topo mapUSGS Chinook Pass
Geology
Type of rockRhyolite
Climbing
First ascent1915 by The Mountaineers[3]
Easiest routeScrambling class 3

Climate
Cowlitz Chimneys

The Cowlitz Chimneys are located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3] 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. 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. Precipitation runoff from Cowlitz Chimneys drains into the Cowlitz River.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Cowlitz Chimneys, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Cowlitz Chimneys, South- 7,605' WA". listsofjohn.com. 49134. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. "Cowlitz Chimneys". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  5. Mount Rainier National Park Place Names. Gary Fuller Reese (author), 2009.
  6. "Cowlitz Chimneys-Third Chimney, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
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