Big Chiwaukum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Chiwaukum |
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Big Chiwaukum
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,081 ft (2,463 m) |
| Prominence | 3,681 ft (1,122 m) |
| Geography | |
 Big Chiwaukum
Location in Washington (state)
Big Chiwaukum
Location in the United States
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| Parent range | Chiwaukum Mountains Wenatchee Mountains Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Chiwaukum Mountains |
| Type of rock | Schist |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling Class 3 |
Big Chiwaukum is a very tall mountain peak in Chelan County, Washington state. It stands about 8,081 feet (2,463 meters) high. This makes it a "prominent" mountain, meaning it rises much higher than the land around it.
Big Chiwaukum is found northeast of Frosty Pass. It is also inside the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, a special protected area. This mountain is the highest point in the Chiwaukum Mountains. These mountains are part of the larger Cascade Range. The name Chiwaukum comes from the Wenatchee language. It means "many little creeks running into one big one." Water flowing off Big Chiwaukum eventually joins the Wenatchee River.
Contents
Understanding the Climate Around Big Chiwaukum
The weather near Big Chiwaukum is shaped by the Pacific Ocean. Most weather systems start over the ocean. They then move east towards the Cascade Range.
How Mountains Affect Weather
When these weather systems reach the Cascade Mountains, they are forced to rise. As the air goes higher, it cools down. This cooling causes the moisture in the air to turn into rain or snow. This process is called Orographic lift. Because of this, the Cascade Mountains get a lot of rain and snow. This is especially true during the winter months.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
In winter, the weather is often cloudy. However, during summer, high-pressure systems form over the Pacific Ocean. These systems bring clear skies. This means there is usually little or no cloud cover in the summer.
Exploring the Geology of Big Chiwaukum
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is known for its rough landscape. It has jagged peaks and sharp ridges. You can also find deep valleys carved by glaciers. There are also granite walls and over 700 mountain lakes.
How the Landscape Was Formed
Long ago, major geological events happened here. These events created the varied landscape. They also caused the big changes in elevation across the Cascade Range. These changes led to the different climates we see today.
Big Chiwaukum is made of a type of rock called schist. This rock formed about 210 million years ago. During the Pleistocene period, which started over two million years ago, glaciers moved across the land many times. These glaciers scraped away the landscape. They left behind piles of rock and debris.
The Impact of Glaciers
The last glaciers in the Alpine Lakes area started to melt about 14,000 years ago. They had moved north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago. The valleys in this area have a "U" shape. This shape was created by the glaciers moving through them. The tall peaks and deep valleys of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness were formed by a mix of forces. These include the land pushing upward (orogeny), cracks in the Earth's crust (faulting), and the action of glaciers.
