Courtney Peak (Washington)
Climate
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/SE_ridge_of_Courtney_Peak.jpg/250px-SE_ridge_of_Courtney_Peak.jpg)
Lying east of the Cascade crest, the area around Courtney Peak is a bit drier than areas to the west. Summers can bring warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms. 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 (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. With its impressive height, Courtney 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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Star_Peak_in_North_Cascades.jpg/250px-Star_Peak_in_North_Cascades.jpg)
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. 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.
See also
- List of Highest Mountain Peaks in Washington
- Geography of Washington (state)
- Geology of the Pacific Northwest
References
- ^ "Courtney Peak WA - 8,394'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
- ^ "Courtney Peak". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
- ^ "WA 100 Highest FA Chronology".
- ^ "Courtney Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
- ^ Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
- ^ Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
External links
- Courtney Peak weather: Mountain Forecast