Rainy Peak
{{short description|Mountain in Washington (state), United States}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Rainy Peak
| photo = Rainy Peak 7768 in North Cascades.jpg
| photo_caption = Rainy Peak seen from the North Cascades Highway near Rainy Pass
| map = Washington#USA
| map_caption = Location in Washington
| map_size = 300
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 8
| mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Rainy Peak
| country = United States
| state = Washington
| region = Chelan
| region_type = County
| part_type = Protected area | part = Stephen Mather Wilderness
| coordinates = {{coord|48|29|07|N|120|44|47|W|type:mountain_region:US_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = {{cite peakbagger|24771|Rainy Peak, Washington}}
| elevation = {{convert|7768|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| elevation_ref = {{cite peakbagger|24771|Rainy Peak, Washington}}
| isolation_mi = 0.53
| isolation_ref = {{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/49032|title=Rainy Benchmark - 7,768' WA|website=listsofjohn.com|accessdate=2021-11-26}}
| parent_peak = Frisco Mountain (7,760 ft)
| prominence = {{convert|1288|ft|-1|abbr=on}}
| prominence_ref = {{cite peakbagger|24771|Rainy Peak, Washington}}
| pronunciation =
| range = North Cascades
| topo = USGS McAlister Mountain
| range_coordinates =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = Scrambling
}}
Rainy Peak is a {{convert|7768|ft|0|abbr=on}} summit in the Cascade Range in the U.S. state of Washington. It is located {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} south of Rainy Pass and {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us|spell=in}} southeast of Frisco Mountain on the borders of the Stephen Mather Wilderness and North Cascades National Park. Its nearest higher peak is Corteo Peak, {{convert|2.33|mi|km|abbr=on}} to the northwest.{{cite peakbagger|24771|Rainy Peak, Washington}} Precipitation runoff from Rainy Peak drains into Rainy Lake and tributaries of Bridge Creek. The retreating Lyall Glacier in its north cirque contributes to waterfalls which tumble {{convert|1000|ft|abbr=on}} into Rainy Lake.
Climate
Rainy Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008. Weather fronts coming off the Pacific Ocean travel east toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snow 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. 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.
Geology
The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and 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.{{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.
Gallery
File:Rainy Peak.jpg|Rainy Peak from Rainy Pass
File:Rainy Peak 7768'.jpg|Rainy Peak from Highway 20
See also
- Geography of the North Cascades
- {{Portal-inline|Mountains|size=tiny}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm North Cascades National Park] National Park Service
- [https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=TQ0456 NGS Data Sheet]
Category:Mountains of Chelan County, Washington
Category:North Cascades National Park