Sentinel Peak (Jefferson County, Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sentinel Peak |
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Sentinel Peak in May 1992
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,592 ft (2,009 m) |
| Prominence | 652 ft (199 m) |
| Isolation | 2.0 mi (3.2 km) |
| Parent peak | Mount Claywood (6,836 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Sentinel Peak
Location in Washington (state)
Sentinel Peak
Location in the United States
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| Location | Olympic National Park Jefferson County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Olympic Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Wellesley Peak |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking class 1 via Hayden Pass |
Sentinel Peak is a tall mountain, about 6,592 feet (2,009 meters) high. It's found in the Olympic Mountains in Washington state, specifically in Jefferson County. This peak stands in the middle of Olympic National Park. Its closest taller neighbor is Mount Fromme, which is about 1.42 miles (2.29 km) away to the northwest.
There's also a smaller peak nearby called Sentinels Sister. It's about 6,301 feet (1,921 meters) high and sits about 0.65 miles (1.05 km) to the southwest. These two peaks look like guardians watching over the Dosewalips Valley and Hayden Pass. They might have been named by early explorers from a group called The Seattle Mountaineers. Rain and snow melting from the peak flow into the Dosewallips River, which then goes into Hood Canal.
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What's the Weather Like?
Sentinel Peak is located in a marine west coast climate zone. This means it gets a lot of rain and snow. Most weather fronts, which bring weather changes, start in the Pacific Ocean. They then travel northeast towards the Olympic Mountains.
How Mountains Affect Weather
When these weather fronts hit the tall Olympic Range, the air is forced to rise. As the air goes up, it cools down and drops its moisture. This moisture falls as rain or snow, a process called orographic lift. Because of this, the Olympic Mountains get a lot of precipitation, especially in winter.
Best Time to Visit
During winter, the weather is usually cloudy. But in summer, high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean often bring clear skies. The months from July through September usually have the best weather. This makes it a great time to see or even climb Sentinel Peak.
How the Mountains Were Formed
The Olympic Mountains are made of different kinds of rock. These rocks include sandstone, turbidite (rock formed from underwater landslides), and basalt (a type of volcanic rock). These rocks were pushed up from the ocean floor a very long time ago.
Ice and Erosion
The mountains got their shape during the Pleistocene era, also known as the Ice Age. During this time, huge glaciers grew and shrank many times. These glaciers carved out valleys and peaks, shaping the mountains we see today through erosion.
Images for kids
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Southwest side of Sentinel Peak
