Iron Cap Mountain

Iron Cap Mountain is a 6,347-foot (1,935-metre) mountain summit located two miles west-northwest of Dutch Miller Gap, in east King County of Washington state.[5] It is situated in the heart of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, on land managed by Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Iron Cap Mountain is set two miles west of the crest of the Cascade Range. Precipitation runoff from the south side of the mountain drains into tributaries of the Snoqualmie River, whereas the north side drains into tributaries of the Foss River. Although modest in elevation, relief is significant since Iron Cap rises 2,500 feet above the Middle Fork Snoqalmie River Valley in less than one mile. Its neighbors include La Bohn Peak, 1.77 miles (2.85 km) to the east, and Little Big Chief Mountain, 2.14 miles (3.44 km) to the southeast.[1]

Iron Cap Mountain
Northeast aspect seen in winter
Highest point
Elevation	6,347 ft (1,935 m) [1][2]
Prominence	787 ft (240 m) [1]
Parent peak	Big Snow Mountain (6,680 ft)[3]
Isolation	1.74 mi (2.80 km) [3]
Coordinates	47°33′14″N 121°17′08″W [1]
Geography
Iron Cap Mountain Location in Washington Show map of Washington (state) Iron Cap Mountain Iron Cap Mountain (the United States) Show map of the United States
Location	Alpine Lakes Wilderness King County, Washington state, U.S.
Parent range	Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Big Snow Mountain
Climbing
First ascent	1925 Joe Hazard and party[2]
Easiest route	class 2-3 scrambling North Ridge[4]

Climate

Iron Cap Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[2] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger.[2] This climate supports a small ice remnant on the east side of the pek, and another in the northwest cirque.[2] During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer.[2] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

Geology

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite walls spotted with over 700 mountain lakes.[6] Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area. The elevation range of this area is between about 1,000 feet (300 m) in the lower elevations to over 9,000 feet (2,700 m) on Mount Stuart.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[7] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[7] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[7]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[7] The last glacial retreat in the Alpine Lakes area began about 14,000 years ago and was north of the Canada–US border by 10,000 years ago.[7] The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of that recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area.

See also

• List of peaks of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
• Geology of the Pacific Northwest
• Ann Nelson

References

1. "Iron Cap Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
2. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
3. "Iron Cap Mountain - 6,347' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
4. "Iron Cap Mountain". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
5. "Iron Cap Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
6. Smoot, Jeff (2004). Backpacking Washington’s Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Helena, Montana: The Globe Pequot Press.
7. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

External links

• Weather forecast: Iron Cap Mountain
• Alpine Lakes Wilderness (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest) U.S. Forest Service
• Injured hiker rescued: CNN