Denman Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denman Peak |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,006 ft (1,831 m) |
| Prominence | 206 ft (63 m) |
| Geography | |
 Denman Peak
Location in Washington (state)
Denman Peak
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mount Rainier National Park Lewis County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascades |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Rainier East |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling class 3 |
Denman Peak is a mountain that stands 6,006 feet (about 1,831 meters) tall. It's part of the Tatoosh Range, which is a smaller group of mountains within the larger Cascade Range. You can find Denman Peak south of the famous Mount Rainier inside Mount Rainier National Park. It sits between Lane Peak to its west and Pinnacle Peak to its east.
This peak used to be called That Peak. But in 1931, a group of outdoor lovers called The Mountaineers decided to give it a new name. They named it after their lawyer, Asahel Holmes Denman. He had worked for their organization for twenty years.
Water from the south side of Denman Peak flows into streams that lead to the Cowlitz River. Water from the north side flows into streams that join the Nisqually River.
Weather at Denman Peak
Denman Peak is in a place with a "marine west coast climate." This means it gets a lot of influence from the ocean. Most of the weather systems start over the Pacific Ocean. They then travel northeast towards the Cascade Mountains.
When these weather systems hit the tall Cascade Mountains, they are forced to rise. This process is called Orographic lift. As the air rises, it cools down and drops its moisture. This causes a lot of rain or snow to fall on the mountains, especially on the western side.
During winter, it's often cloudy and snowy. The snow tends to be wet and heavy because of the ocean's influence. This can sometimes lead to avalanche danger. In summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean often bring clear skies.
Climbing Denman Peak
If you want to climb Denman Peak, you can start at the Pinnacle Saddle Trailhead. This trailhead is on the south side of Stevens Canyon Road, near Reflection Lakes.
The Pinnacle Saddle Trail is a well-kept path. It climbs about 1,050 feet (320 meters) over 1.25 miles (2 kilometers). From the saddle (the low point between Pinnacle Peak and Plummer Peak), there's a smaller path. This path goes across the northern side of Plummer Peak. Reaching the top of Denman Peak from there involves some easy scrambling, which means using your hands and feet to climb over rocks.
- Want to check the weather forecast for Denman Peak? Visit Denman Peak Weather.
- Learn more about the park at the Mount Rainier National Park website.
