Round Mountain (Washington)

Round Mountain[2] is a 5,320+ ft mountain summit at the western edge of the North Cascades, in Skagit County of Washington state. It is located nine miles northwest of Darrington, Washington and is situated on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Round Mountain is remarkable for its 4,780 feet of prominence which ranks as the most in Skagit County, and eighth most of all the mountains in Washington state. The nearest higher peak is Whitehorse Mountain, 7.85 miles (12.63 km) to the south-southeast.[1] Precipitation runoff from Round Mountain drains into tributaries of the Stillaguamish River.

This article is about the mountain in Skagit County. For the mountain of the same name in Spokane County, see Mica Peak.
Round Mountain
Round Mountain seen from Darrington
Highest point
Elevation5,320 ft (1,620 m) [1]
Prominence4,780 ft (1,460 m) [1]
Coordinates48°19′35″N 121°45′03″W [1]
Geography
Round Mountain
Round Mountain
Round Mountain (the United States)
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Fortson
Climbing
Easiest routeScrambling

Climate

Round Mountain is 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 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.[3] 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]

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.[4] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[4] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[4]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[4] 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. "Round Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Round Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  4. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

See also
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