Mount Fremont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Fremont |
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Mount Fremont seen from the east
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,317 ft (2,230 m) |
| Prominence | 557 ft (170 m) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Fremont
Location in Washington (state)
Mount Fremont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascades |
| Topo map | USGS Sunrise |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling class 3 |
Mount Fremont is a mountain peak located in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state. It stands about 7,317 feet (2,230 m) (or 1.4 miles) tall! This peak is part of the Sourdough Mountains, which are a smaller group within the larger Cascade Range.
You can find Mount Fremont northwest of the popular Sunrise area in the park. There is a well-known hiking trail that leads to the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout. This trail is very popular, but it does not go all the way to the very top of the mountain. The road to Sunrise is often closed for much of the year due to heavy snowpack (deep snow). Usually, July, August, and September are the best months to visit when the road is open for cars.
The closest higher peak to Mount Fremont is Second Burroughs Mountain. It is about 1.31 mi (2.11 km) to the southwest. All the rain and melted snow from Mount Fremont flows into the White River.
Weather and Climate
Mount Fremont is in a place with a "marine west coast" climate. This means it gets a lot of influence from the Pacific Ocean. Most weather systems come from the Pacific and move 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 western side of the Cascades. Because of this, the area around Mount Fremont gets a lot of precipitation, especially snow in winter.
During winter, it's often cloudy. But in summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean usually bring clear skies. The snow here tends to be wet and heavy because of the ocean's influence. This can sometimes create a high risk of avalanches.
History of the Name
Mount Fremont is named after John C. Frémont (1813-1890). He was a famous American explorer, a politician, and a soldier. His trips to the Oregon Territory helped make Americans want to own that land. In his journals, he wrote that Mount Rainier was erupting in November 1843.
Images for kids
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Mt. Fremont, second from far right, seen from Burroughs Mountain
