Sitting Bull Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sitting Bull Mountain |
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Sitting Bull Mountain seen from Cloudy Pass
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,759 ft (2,365 m) |
| Prominence | 599 ft (183 m) |
| Parent peak | Plummer Mountain 7870 ft |
| Geography | |
 Sitting Bull Mountain
Location in Washington (state)
Sitting Bull Mountain
Location in the United States
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| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Suiattle Pass |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous |
| Mountain type | Metamorphic brown Gneiss |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1921 party of The Mountaineers |
| Easiest route | Scrambling |
Sitting Bull Mountain is a tall mountain in the North Cascades area of Washington state. It stands about 7,759 feet (2,365 meters) high. This mountain has two main peaks, or "summits," close to each other. The northern peak is a bit taller than the southern one.
Even though it has two peaks, not many people try to climb Sitting Bull Mountain. The northern peak is a little easier to climb than the southern one. The mountain is found in the middle of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, a protected natural area. It's also on the border between Snohomish County and Chelan County. Water from the mountain flows into different rivers, heading either east or west.
Contents
How Sitting Bull Mountain Was Formed
Understanding the Earth's History
The rocks that make up Sitting Bull Mountain started forming a very long time ago. This was during a period called the late Cretaceous period, about 90 million years ago. At that time, the area was covered by an ocean. It had many sedimentary and volcanic rocks.
Later, around 35 million years ago, there was a lot of volcanic activity. But the mountains themselves didn't start pushing up until about 10 million years ago. This process is called mountain building.
The Cloudy Pass Batholith
Sitting Bull Mountain is part of something called the Cloudy Pass batholith. A batholith is a very large mass of igneous rock that formed underground. It cooled and hardened there. This batholith formed about 20 million years ago.
You might also find volcanic ash around Sitting Bull Mountain. This is because Glacier Peak, a large volcano, is nearby. Glacier Peak started forming about 2.6 million years ago.
Impact of Ancient Glaciers
During the last ice age, huge sheets of ice covered most of the North Cascades. These glaciers were thick and powerful. They reached almost all the way to Puget Sound. The ice was heaviest around 18,000 years ago. Most valleys were free of ice by 12,000 years ago.
Because of these powerful glaciers, the valleys in the area are deep and shaped like a "U". The mountains themselves are often rocky. They have steep sides and narrow tops.
Weather and Climate Around the Mountain
Understanding the Local Climate
Sitting Bull Mountain is in a place with a "marine west coast" climate. This means it's often influenced by the ocean. Most of the weather systems start over the Pacific Ocean. They then travel northeast towards the Cascade Mountains.
How Mountains Affect Weather
When these weather systems reach the North Cascades, the tall mountains force the air upward. This process is called Orographic lift. As the air rises, it cools down. This causes it to drop its moisture as rain or snow onto the mountains. Because of this, the western side of the North Cascades gets a lot of rain and snow. This is especially true during the winter months.
Temperatures and Snowfall
Due to the ocean's influence, the temperatures west of the Cascade peaks usually stay mild. They rarely drop below 0°F (-18°C) or go above 80°F (27°C). In winter, it's often cloudy. But in summer, high-pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean bring clear skies. The snow in this area tends to be wet and heavy. This can sometimes lead to a higher risk of avalanches.
 | Percy Lavon Julian |
 | Katherine Johnson |
 | George Washington Carver |
 | Annie Easley |
