Mount Larrabee

Mount Larrabee is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.File:Mt. Larrabee from Ruth.jpg]] Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North 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 high avalanche danger. Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below {{convert|0|°F|°C}} or above {{convert|80|°F|°C}}. 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. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

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.{{cite book|last=Kruckeberg|first=Arthur|title=The Natural History of Puget Sound Country|publisher=University of Washington Press|year=1991}} With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is 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.

{{Portal|Mountains}}

• Geography of the North Cascades
• Geology of the Pacific Northwest

File:Mount Larrabee.jpg|from Winchester Mountain

File:Mt. Larrabee from High Pass ridge.jpg|from High Pass

File:First morning sun on Mt. Larrabee while ascending to the Austin Pass.jpg|Winter sunrise

File:Slesse, Larrabee, and the Pleiades.jpg|Larrabee centered with the Pleiades to right, and the top of Slesse Mountain showing behind the ridge to left

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=79421 Mt. Baker Wilderness] U.S. Forest Service
• Mt. Larrabee weather: [https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Larrabee/forecasts/2398 Mountain Forecast]
• Climbing Larrabee: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vxNaQ19klg YouTube]

{{Geographic Location

| Center = Mount Larrabee

| North = Boundary Red Mountain Mine

| Northeast = Slesse Mountain

| East = Pocket Peak

| Southeast = Mount Chardonnay

| South = Winchester Mountain

| Southwest = Yellow Aster Butte

| West = Tomyhoi Peak

| Northwest = American Border Peak

}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Larrabee}}

Category:Mountains of Whatcom County, Washington

Category:Skagit Range

Category:Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Category:Two-thousanders of the United States