Mount Bretherton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Bretherton |
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Mt. Bretherton, north aspect
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 5,960 ft (1,820 m) |
| Prominence | 1,240 ft (380 m) |
| Isolation | 1.43 mi (2.30 km) |
| Parent peak | Mount Lena (5,995 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Bretherton
Location in Washington (state)
Mount Bretherton
Location in the United States
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| Location | Olympic National Park Jefferson County, Washington, US |
| Parent range | Olympic Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Washington |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown |
| Easiest route | class 2 hiking |
Mount Bretherton is a mountain in the Olympic Mountains of Washington state. It stands 5,960 feet (1,817 meters) tall. You can find it in Jefferson County, inside Olympic National Park.
The mountain is located just south of Upper Lena Lake. It rises about 1,400 feet above the lake's shore. Nearby peaks include Mount Lena to the north and Mount Stone to the west. The Brothers are also close by, about four miles to the northeast.
Water from Mount Bretherton flows south into the Hamma Hamma River. This happens through creeks like Boulder, Delta, and Lena Creeks. The mountain rises over 5,100 feet (1,555 meters) from the river in just two miles.
Hiking to the top of Mount Bretherton is a long trip. It's eight miles one-way and involves climbing 5,300 feet. The best time to visit is from July to September. You can camp at Upper Lena Lake, and the climb from the lake to the summit takes about two hours. The name of this mountain is officially recognized by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Who Was Mount Bretherton Named After?
Mount Bretherton was named in 1890 after Bernard Joseph Bretherton. He was a naturalist, someone who studies nature. Bernard Bretherton (1861–1903) was part of the Olympic Mountains Exploring Expedition in 1890. This group, led by Lieutenant Joseph P. O'Neil, crossed the Olympic mountain range from east to west.
Bretherton was born in England and moved to the United States in 1885. He lived in Portland, Oregon, and worked as a curator for the Oregon Alpine Club. Some people believed he was one of the first to climb Mount Olympus on September 22, 1890. However, it's now thought they likely climbed a smaller peak nearby called Athena. Bernard Bretherton became a US citizen in 1891. He passed away in 1903 at 42 years old.
What is the Climate Like?
Mount Bretherton is in a marine west coast climate zone. This means it has mild, wet winters and cool, drier summers. Most weather fronts, which bring changes in weather, come from the Pacific Ocean. They travel northeast towards the Olympic Mountains.
When these weather fronts hit the tall Olympic peaks, they are forced to rise. This process is called Orographic lift. As the air rises, it cools and drops its moisture as rain or snow. Because of this, the Olympic Mountains get a lot of rain and snow, especially in winter.
Winters are usually cloudy. But in summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean often bring clear skies. The snow here tends to be wet and heavy due to the ocean's influence. This can sometimes create a risk of avalanches. The best weather for visiting Mount Bretherton is usually from June through September.
How Were the Mountains Formed?
The Olympic Mountains are made up of different kinds of rock. These rocks include sandstone, turbidite (rock formed from underwater landslides), and basalt (a type of volcanic rock). These rocks were pushed up from the ocean floor over millions of years.
The mountains got their shape during the Pleistocene era, also known as the Ice Age. During this time, huge glaciers moved across the land many times. As the glaciers advanced and then melted away, they carved out the valleys and peaks we see today. This process of wearing away the land is called erosion.
 | Laphonza Butler |
 | Daisy Bates |
 | Elizabeth Piper Ensley |
