Mount Cruiser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Cruiser |
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Mt. Cruiser, west aspect, seen from Mt. Gladys,
(Alpha on left) |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,104 ft (1,860 m) |
| Prominence | 1,104 ft (336 m) |
| Parent peak | Mount Skokomish (6,434 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Cruiser
Location in Washington (state)
Mount Cruiser
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mason County, Washington, US |
| Parent range | Olympic Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Mount Skokomish |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Eocene |
| Type of rock | Basalt |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1937 Paul Crews, Ray Layton |
| Easiest route | class 5 South corner |
Mount Cruiser is a tall mountain in the Olympic Mountains range. It stands 6,104 feet (1,860 meters) high. You can find it in Mason County, Washington state. The mountain is part of the Mount Skokomish Wilderness. This area is managed by the Olympic National Forest.
Mount Cruiser is the highest point on a ridge called Sawtooth Ridge. Its closest taller neighbor is Mount Skokomish, which is about 2.1 miles (3.4 km) away. Mount Cruiser also has two smaller peaks nearby. These are called Alpha (6,040 feet or 1,841 meters) and Beta (5,920 feet or 1,804 meters). Beta is right on the edge of Olympic National Park.
The first people to climb Mount Cruiser were Paul Crews and Ray Layton. They reached the top in 1937. They named the mountain after their climbing club, the Bremerton Ski Cruisers. The name "Mount Cruiser" became official in 1961. Water from the mountain flows into the Hamma Hamma River.
How the Mountain Was Made
The Olympic Mountains are made of special rocks. These rocks were pushed up from under the ocean a very long time ago. They are mostly sandstone and a type of volcanic rock called basalt. This happened during a time called the Eocene epoch.
Later, during the Pleistocene era, huge sheets of ice called glaciers helped shape the mountains. These glaciers moved slowly, carving out valleys and peaks. They advanced and melted many times, making the mountains look the way they do today.
Mountain Weather
Mount Cruiser is in a place with a "marine west coast" climate. This means it gets a lot of rain and snow. Most of the weather comes from the Pacific Ocean. It travels northeast towards the Olympic Mountains.
When these weather systems hit the tall mountains, they are forced to rise. As the air goes up, it cools down. This causes the moisture in the air to fall as rain or snow. This is called Orographic lift. Because of this, the Olympic Mountains get a lot of rain and snow, especially in winter.
In winter, it's often cloudy. But in summer, high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean often bring clear skies. The snow here tends to be wet and heavy. This can sometimes create a risk of avalanches. The best time to climb Mount Cruiser is usually from June through September. This is when the weather is most pleasant.
Climbing Mount Cruiser
Mount Cruiser is a popular spot for rock climbing. There are several known routes to the top. These routes are rated by how difficult they are. For example, a "class 5" climb means you need ropes and special gear.
Here are some of the climbing routes on Mount Cruiser:
- South Corner - This route is rated class 5.0.
- West-Southwest Corner - This route is rated class 5.7.
- Northeast Face - This route is rated class 5.6.
- West Face - This route is rated class 5.5.
- East Face - This route is rated class 5.7.
- Southeast Face - This route is rated class 5.5.
Images for kids
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Mt. Cruiser (directly above ferry) seen from the Seattle area
 | Bayard Rustin |
 | Jeannette Carter |
 | Jeremiah A. Brown |
