Mesahchie Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mesahchie Peak |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,795 ft (2,681 m) |
| Prominence | 2,235 ft (681 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mesahchie Peak
Location in Washington (state)
Mesahchie Peak
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Skagit County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Logan |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1966 by four climbers |
| Easiest route | class 3 |
Mesahchie Peak is a tall mountain in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. It stands at 8,795 feet (2,681 meters) high. The name "Mesahchie" comes from a Chinook word that means wicked.
This peak is the highest point along a ridge called Ragged Ridge. It is also very close to Katsuk Peak, only about a quarter-mile away. Two glaciers, the Katsuk and Mesahchie Glacier, flow down the sides of Mesahchie Peak.
Contents
Understanding the Climate of Mesahchie Peak
Mesahchie Peak is located in a special climate zone called the marine west coast climate. This means it's near the ocean, which greatly affects its weather.
How Weather Forms Here
Most of the weather that reaches Mesahchie Peak starts over the Pacific Ocean. These weather systems, called fronts, travel northeast towards the Cascade Mountains.
When these fronts hit the tall peaks of the Cascades, the air is forced to rise. This process is known as Orographic lift. As the air goes higher, it cools down. This cooling causes the moisture in the air to turn into rain or snowfall.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Because of this, the western side of the North Cascades gets a lot of precipitation. This is especially true during the winter months, when heavy snowfall is common.
In winter, the weather is often cloudy. However, during the summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean become stronger. This often leads to clear skies and little to no cloud cover.
Exploring the Geology of the North Cascades
The North Cascades region, where Mesahchie Peak is located, has some of the most rugged and dramatic landscapes. You can see sharp peaks, long ridges, and deep valleys carved by glaciers.
How the Mountains Were Formed
The history of the Cascade Mountains goes back millions of years. It started in the late Eocene Epoch. At that time, the North American Plate was slowly moving over the Pacific Plate. This movement caused many volcanic eruptions and created new rock.
About 50 million years ago, small pieces of the Earth's crust, called terranes, came together. These pieces, from both the ocean floor and continents, helped build the North Cascades.
The Impact of Glaciers
During the Pleistocene period, which was over two million years ago, large sheets of ice called glaciers moved across the land. These glaciers advanced and retreated many times. As they moved, they scraped and shaped the landscape, leaving behind piles of rock.
The deep, "U"-shaped valleys you see in the North Cascades today are a direct result of these ancient glaciers. The combination of land uplift (when land rises) and faulting (when cracks form in the Earth's crust) along with glaciation has created the tall peaks and deep valleys of this area.
