Okanagan Range facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Okanagan Range |
|
|---|---|
Horseshoe Basin, Armstrong Peak, Okanagan Range, Washington
|
|
| Dimensions | |
| Area | 775 km2 (299 sq mi) |
| Geography | |
| Countries | Canada and United States |
| Range coordinates | 49°5′N 120°10′W / 49.083°N 120.167°W |
| Parent range | North Cascades/Canadian Cascades |
The Okanagan Range (sometimes spelled Okanogan Range) is a group of mountains. It's part of the larger Cascade Range. These mountains are located right on the border between British Columbia in Canada and Washington in the United States. You can find them south of the Similkameen River. This range is the most northeastern part of the Cascade Range.
Contents
What is the Okanagan Range?
People sometimes have different ideas about where the Okanagan Range truly begins and ends. This is especially true for mapmakers and scientists from Canada and the United States.
Early Ideas About the Range
Long ago, early geologists (scientists who study rocks and Earth) and topographers (people who map the land) mostly agreed. They thought the Okanagan Range was bordered by the Pasayten River on the west. It then stretched east to Chopaka Mountain. The Hozameen Range was seen as separate from the Okanagan Range by the Pasayten River.
This older idea of the Okanagan Range included most of today's Pasayten Wilderness. It also went south to meet the main Cascade Range near Harts Pass. This area forms a natural divide. Streams on one side flow north to the Similkameen River. Streams on the other side flow south to the Methow River.
Modern Definitions
Today, different groups have slightly different definitions:
- The BCGNIS (a Canadian naming system) says the northern edge of the Okanagan Range is Young Creek and the lower Ashnola River.
- Peakbagger.com (a website for mountain climbers) describes the Okanogan Range as a much larger area. It's bordered by the Methow River to the south. To the east, it's bordered by the Okanagan River and the Similkameen River.
Don't Confuse It!
It's important not to confuse the Okanagan Range with the Okanagan Highland. The Okanagan Highland is on the other side of the Okanagan Valley. Some people even think it's part of the Monashee Mountains.
Tallest Mountains in the Range
The Okanagan Range has many tall and impressive peaks. Here are the eight highest mountains in this range:
- Mount Lago (8,745 feet or 2,665 meters)
- Robinson Mountain (8,726 feet or 2,660 meters)
- Remmel Mountain (8,690 feet or 2,649 meters)
- Grimface Mountain (8,645 feet or 2,635 meters)
- Ptarmigan Peak (8,614 feet or 2,626 meters)
- Cathedral Peak (8,606 feet or 2,623 meters)
- Mount Carru (8,595 feet or 2,620 meters)
- Monument Peak (8,592 feet or 2,619 meters)
See also
In Spanish: Cordillera de Okanagan para niños
