Pinnacle Peak (Washington) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pinnacle Peak
Pinnacle Peak and The Castle (right) from Plummer Peak
Highest point
Elevation	6,562 ft (2,000 m)  NGVD 29
Prominence	562 ft (171 m)
Geography
Pinnacle Peak Location in Washington (state)
Parent range	Cascades, Tatoosh Range
Topo map	USGS Mount Rainier East
Climbing
Easiest route	Scrambling south face

Pinnacle Peak is a tall mountain, about 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) high. It is found inside Mount Rainier National Park in Lewis County, Washington. This peak is the second highest in the Tatoosh Range. There is another mountain also called Pinnacle Peak located near Enumclaw, Washington, which is about 30 miles (48 km) to the northwest.

If you hike the trail to the saddle (a low point between two peaks) and then to the summit, you can see amazing views of Mount Rainier. To reach the very top, you might need to do some scrambling (climbing over rocks using your hands and feet) or even a bit of rock climbing. Another mountain called The Castle is very close by, just 0.2 miles (0.32 km) to the east.

Understanding the Climate Around Pinnacle Peak

Pinnacle Peak is located in a special climate area called the marine west coast climate zone. This type of climate is found in western North America. Most of the weather systems, like big clouds that bring rain or snow, start over the Pacific Ocean. They then travel northeast towards the Cascade Mountains.

How Weather Affects the Mountains

When these weather systems reach the Cascade Mountains, they are forced to rise up over the tall peaks. This process is called orographic lift. As the air rises, it cools down and drops its moisture. This means the west side of the Cascades gets a lot of rain or snow, especially during the winter months.

Seasonal Weather Patterns

In winter, the weather is usually cloudy. However, during the summer, high-pressure systems build up over the Pacific Ocean. These systems often bring clear skies, so there is usually little or no cloud cover. Because the ocean influences the weather so much, the snow that falls tends to be wet and heavy.

Images for kids

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  Pinnacle Peak and The Castle (right) from Plummer Peak

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  The Castle (left) and Pinnacle Peak (center)

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  Pinnacle Peak with The Castle (right)

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  Pinnacle Peak

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  The southeast aspect of Pinnacle Peak

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  The Tatoosh Range, taken near Paradise