Spire Point

Spire Point (8,264 feet (2,519 m)) is in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] On the northwest slope of Spire Point lies Spire Glacier while Dana Glacier is to the east. Ascending Spire Point is a technical climb.[4]

Spire Point
Spire Point seen from Maple Pass
Highest point
Elevation8,264 ft (2,519 m) [1]
Prominence784 ft (239 m) [1]
Coordinates48°19′03″N 121°04′16″W [2]
Geography
Spire Point
Location in Washington
Spire Point
Location in the United States
LocationChelan and Skagit County, Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeCascade Range
Topo mapUSGS Dome Peak
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 5

Climate

Spire Point is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[5] 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 west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. 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.[5]

Geology

The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[6] During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured and shaped the landscape.[6] 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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References
  1. "Spire Point, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  2. "Spire Point". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  3. Dome Peak, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  4. Beckey, Fred (2003). Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 2; Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass. Mountaineer Books. p. 253. ISBN 978-0-89886-838-8.
  5. Beckey, p. 15
  6. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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