Crooked Thumb Peak

Crooked Thumb Peak (8,129 feet (2,478 m)) is located in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] Located in the northern section of the park, Crooked Thumb Peak is in the Picket Range and is .50 mi (0.80 km) south of Mount Challenger and the same distance north of Phantom Peak.

Crooked Thumb Peak
Crooked Thumb Peak, west face
Highest point
Elevation8,129 ft (2,478 m) [1]
Prominence444 ft (135 m) [1]
Coordinates48°49′36″N 121°20′28″W [2]
Geography
Crooked Thumb Peak
Location in Washington
Crooked Thumb Peak
Location in the United States
LocationWhatcom County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Cascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Mount Challenger
Geology
Type of rockGneiss
Climbing
First ascent1940 Fred Beckey, Helmy Beckey

Climate

Crooked Thumb is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] 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, 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 high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[4] 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.[4] Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Skagit River.

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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 various climate differences.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[5]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[5] 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.

References
  1. "Crooked Thumb Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  2. "Crooked Thumb Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  3. Mount Challenger, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  4. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  5. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.


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