Mount Wow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Wow |
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West aspect, from Ashford
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,040 ft (1,840 m) |
| Prominence | 2,120 ft (650 m) |
| Isolation | 3.62 mi (5.83 km) |
| Parent peak | Iron Mountain (6,286 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Mount Wow
Location in Washington (state)
Mount Wow
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 Mount Wow |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | scrambling |
Mount Wow is a cool mountain peak in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington state. It stands tall at about 6,040 feet (1,841 meters) high. This mountain is found in the southwest part of Pierce County.
Mount Wow is part of the Cascade Range, a long chain of mountains. It is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km) southwest of the famous Mount Rainier. Its closest taller neighbor is Iron Mountain, which is about 3.6 miles (5.8 km) away to the east-northeast. Water from Mount Wow flows into Tahoma Creek on its east side and Goat Creek on its west side. Both of these creeks eventually join the Nisqually River.
Contents
History of Mount Wow
The name "Wow" comes from an old Yakama word. This word meant "goat." Long ago, people visiting the area often saw mountain goats on the slopes of this mountain. Because of this, the name "Mount Wow" was officially chosen in 1913. The United States Board on Geographic Names made this decision.
Weather and Climate
Mount Wow is in a place with a marine west coast climate. This means it gets a lot of moisture from the ocean. Most weather systems start over the Pacific Ocean. They then travel northeast towards the Cascade Mountains.
How Weather Affects the Cascades
When these weather systems reach the 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 snowfall on the west side of the Cascades.
Seasons on Mount Wow
During winter, the weather is usually cloudy. There is often a lot of snow. However, in summer, high-pressure systems form over the Pacific Ocean. These systems bring clear skies. This means there is often little or no cloud cover in summer. The best time to visit or climb Mount Wow is from July through September. The weather is usually clear and sunny then.
Images for kids
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Mt. Wow from the east
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Ascending the southwest ridge
