Rampart Ridge (Washington)

Rampart Ridge[2] is a 5,870 ft (1,790 m) elevation mountain ridge located in the Cascade Range, in Kittitas County of Washington state. It is situated northeast of Hyak, Washington, and the north end of Keechelus Lake, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Wenatchee National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is Alta Mountain, 1.74 mi (2.80 km) to the north-northeast, and Dungeon Peak rises 0.77 mi (1.24 km) to the south-southwest.[1] The north-south trending ridge is characterized by vertical cliffs on its west-facing side above the Gold Creek valley, and gentle meadows with lakes on the eastern side, such as Rachel Lake, Lake Lillian, and the Rampart Lakes. The descriptive name of rampart was officially adopted 1918 by the United States Board on Geographic Names based on a suggestion by The Mountaineers.[2] Precipitation runoff from the ridge drains into tributaries of the Yakima River.  

Rampart Ridge
Rampart Ridge seen from Snoqualmie Pass area  
Highest point
Elevation5,870 ft (1,790 m) [1]
Prominence790 ft (240 m) [1]
Coordinates47°24′41″N 121°20′41″W [1]
Geography
Rampart Ridge
Location in Washington
Rampart Ridge
Rampart Ridge (the United States)
LocationAlpine Lakes Wilderness
Kittitas County,
Washington state, U.S.
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Chikamin Peak
Climbing
Easiest routeTrail approach and Scrambling

Climate

Rampart Ridge is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3]

Rampart Ridge in winter seen from Interstate 90

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, 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 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.[3] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger.

Geology

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite walls spotted with over 700 mountain lakes.[4]  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.

Lila Lake on Rampart Ridge. Hibox Mountain to left

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 last glacial retreat in the Alpine Lakes area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago.[5] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of that 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 Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.

See also

References
  1. "Rampart Ridge, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Rampart Ridge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. Smoot, Jeff (2004). Backpacking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Helena, Montana: The Globe Pequot Press.
  5. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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