Riddle Peaks

Riddle Peaks, also known as Riddle Peak, is an 8,212-foot (2,503-metre) mountain summit located at the head of Riddle Creek in the North Cascades, in Chelan County of Washington state.[1] Riddle Peak is situated on the Glacier Peak Wilderness boundary, six miles west of Lake Chelan, and 2.5 mi (4.0 km) northeast of Holden, on land managed by the Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Flora Mountain, 2.25 miles (3.62 km) to the northeast, and Martin Peak lies 3.7 miles (6.0 km) to the west-northwest.[2] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into Lake Chelan via Railroad Creek, Riddle Creek, and Devore Creek. Topographic relief is significant since the southern aspect of the mountain rises 5,000 feet above the Railroad Creek valley in approximately 2 mi (3.2 km). The first ascent of the peak was made September 11, 1940, by Everett and Ida Zacher Darr, Joe Leuthold, and Eldon Metzger via an easy ridge from Tenmile Pass.[4]

Riddle Peaks
South aspect, from Buckskin Ridge
Highest point
Elevation8,212 ft (2,503 m) [1]
Prominence1,120 ft (340 m) [2]
Parent peakFlora Mountain (8,320 ft)[3]
Isolation2.25 mi (3.62 km) [3]
Coordinates48°13′40″N 120°44′19″W [2]
Geography
Riddle Peaks
Location in Washington
Riddle Peaks
Riddle Peaks (the United States)
LocationGlacier Peak Wilderness
Chelan County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Pinnacle Mountain
Geology
Type of rockHornblende gabbro[4]
Climbing
First ascentSeptember 11, 1940
Easiest routeclass 2 scrambling[4] Northeast ridge

Climate

Lying east of the Cascade crest, the area around Riddle Peaks is a bit drier than areas to the west. Summers can bring warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, 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 North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[4] With its impressive height, Riddle Peak can have snow on it in late-spring and early-fall, and can be very cold in the winter.

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. 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 history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[5] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 16.5 mi (26.6 km) west-southwest of Martin Peak, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene.[4] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[5]

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.

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See also

References
  1. "Riddle Peaks". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  2. "Riddle Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. "Riddle Peaks, West - 8,220' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  4. Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
  5. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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