Mount Ballard (Washington)

Mount Ballard is an 8,340-foot (2,540-metre) mountain summit located in eastern Whatcom County in Washington state.[3] It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range, and the mountain is situated on land administered by Okanogan National Forest. Ballard ranks 88th on Washington's highest 100 peaks.[1] The nearest higher neighbor is Azurite Peak, 2.04 miles (3.28 km) to the south.[1] Precipitation runoff from Mount Ballard drains into Mill Creek and Slate Creek, both tributaries of the Skagit River.

Mount Ballard
Mount Ballard seen from PCT at Grasshopper Pass
Highest point
Elevation8,340 ft (2,540 m) [1]
Prominence780 ft (240 m) [1]
Parent peakAzurite Peak (8,420 ft)[2]
Isolation2.02 mi (3.25 km) [2]
Coordinates48°41′09″N 120°45′28″W [1]
Geography
Mount Ballard
Location in Washington
Mount Ballard
Mount Ballard (the United States)
LocationWhatcom County
Washington, U.S.
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Azurite Peak
Climbing
Easiest routeclass 3 scrambling[2]

Climate

Mount Ballard is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] 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.[4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[4]

Geology

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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.

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] 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.

See also

References
  1. "Mount Ballard, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Ballard, Mount - 8,340' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  3. "Mount Ballard". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  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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