Needle Peak (British Columbia)

Needle Peak is a prominent 2,095-metre (6,873-foot) mountain summit located in the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, in the North Cascades of southwestern British Columbia, Canada.[3] It is situated immediately southwest of Coquihalla Summit, and 4.2 km (3 mi) south-southwest of Yak Peak.[2] Due to its close proximity to the Coquihalla Highway, the mountain is a popular hiking destination in summer, and skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of the Coquihalla River. The mountain's descriptive name was officially adopted on October 6, 1936, by the Geographical Names Board of Canada.[4]

Needle Peak
Needle Peak, northeast aspect
Highest point
Elevation2,095 m (6,873 ft) [1]
Prominence865 m (2,838 ft) [1]
Parent peakCoquihalla Mountain (2157 m)[2]
Coordinates49°34′16″N 121°07′31″W 
Geography
Needle Peak
Location in British Columbia
Needle Peak
Needle Peak (Canada)
LocationBritish Columbia, Canada
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapNTS 92H/11
Geology
Type of rockgranitic
Climbing
Easiest routeEasy scrambling via west ridge

Geology

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[5] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of 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 North Cascades area.

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to various climate differences which lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

Climate
Needle Peak in winter

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Needle Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[6] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel east toward the Cascade Range where they are forced upward by the range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Cascade Mountains experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for climbing Needle Peak.

Climbing Routes
Needle Peak via west ridge

Established climbing routes on Needle Peak:[1]

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See also

References
Needle Peak viewed from Yak Peak, with the Coquihalla Highway below
  1. "Needle Peak". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  2. "Needle Peak, British Columbia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  3. "Needle Peak". BC Geographical Names.
  4. "Needle Peak". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2019-11-23.
  5. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
  6. Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L. & McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606.
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