Foss Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Foss Peak |
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Foss Peak from northeast
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,524 ft (1,989 m) |
| Prominence | 404 ft (123 m) |
| Geography | |
 Foss Peak
Location in Washington (state)
Foss Peak
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascades |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Rainier East |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling |
Foss Peak is a mountain that stands 6,524 feet (about 1,988 meters) tall. It's part of the Tatoosh Range, which is a smaller mountain group within the larger Cascade Range. You can find Foss Peak south of the famous Mount Rainier, inside Mount Rainier National Park in Lewis County, Washington state.
The mountain gets its name from Thea Foss (1857-1927). She was a brave woman who, with her husband, started the Foss Maritime Company in 1889. This company became very important for shipping. Foss Peak also has another fun name: Manatee Mountain. The closest taller mountain is West Unicorn Peak, which is about 0.79 miles (1.27 kilometers) to the southeast. Water from rain and melting snow on Foss Peak flows into rivers that eventually join the Cowlitz River.
Mountain Weather: Climate at Foss Peak
Foss Peak is located in a place with a "marine west coast" climate. This means it gets a lot of weather from the Pacific Ocean. Most of the weather systems, like big clouds and storms, start over the Pacific and move northeast towards the Cascade Mountains.
When these weather systems hit the tall Cascade Mountains, they are forced to rise. As the air goes higher, it cools down, and the moisture in it turns into rain or snowfall. This is why the western side of the Cascade Mountains, including Foss Peak, gets a lot of precipitation, especially snow in the winter.
During winter, the weather is often cloudy. But in the summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean usually bring clear skies and lots of sunshine. Because of the ocean's influence, the snow here tends to be wet and heavy. This can sometimes lead to a higher risk of avalanches, which are large slides of snow down a mountain.
Exploring Mount Rainier National Park
Foss Peak is located within Mount Rainier National Park. This park is a great place to visit and explore nature. You can find more information about the park on the official National Park Service website: Mount Rainier National Park.
Images for kids
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Unicorn Peak (left) and Foss Peak (right) in winter
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Foss Peak (aka Manatee Mountain)
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Louise Lake, Foss Peak, and Unicorn Peak.
