Hidden Lake Peaks
Climate
Hidden Lake Peaks are located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Weather fronts coming off 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, particularly on the steep western meadow-covered slopes that are above treeline. 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 features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges, deep glacial valleys, and granite spires.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Hidden_Lake_Peak.jpg/220px-Hidden_Lake_Peak.jpg)
Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to various climate differences.
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.
Hidden Lake Peak Lookout
The gable roof single-room 14' by 14' lookout was built by the U.S. Forest Service in 1931 and was staffed until 1958, when many fire lookouts in the North Cascades were closed. In 1961 Dr. Fred Darvill and the Skagit Alpine Club obtained a special use permit to restore and maintain the structure. A volunteer group now maintains the lookout, which is open to the public on a first-come-first-serve basis for overnight use. The lookout is generally accessible from July until October, as determined by snow conditions.
National Register
The Hidden Lake Peak Lookout was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 14, 1987, and is also on the National Historic Lookout Register.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Hidden_Peak_Fire_Lookout_at_sunset%2C_with_smokey_haze_from_nearby_fires.jpg/280px-Hidden_Peak_Fire_Lookout_at_sunset%2C_with_smokey_haze_from_nearby_fires.jpg)
- Structure - ID #87001184
- North Cascades National Park overlooking the Cascade Pass area
- Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
- Area of Significance: Architecture, Conservation, Politics/Government
- Period of Significance: 1931-1958
- Owner: Federal
- Historic Function: Government
- Historic Sub-function: Fire Station
- Current Function: Government
- Current Sub-function: Fire Station
- North Cascades National Park 10 miles (16 km) east of Marblemount, Washington
- Elevation 6,890 feet (2,100 m)
Access
The trailhead for Hidden Lake Trail #745 to the top of Hidden Lake Peak Lookout is located at the end of five mile long Forest Service Road #1540, which junctions 9.5 miles up the Cascade River Road from Marblemount. The steep 4.5 miles (7.2 km) trail, with a 2,900-foot (880 m) elevation gain, starts in forest then transitions to wonderful wildflower filled meadows before climbing high into heather and rock gardens. The summit provides views of the peaks of the Ptarmigan Traverse, the stratovolcanoes Glacier Peak and Mount Baker, and other giants such as Forbidden Peak, Eldorado Peak, and Snowking Mountain.
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ "Hidden Lake Peaks, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
- ^ "Hidden Lake Peaks, North WA - 7,086'". Lists of John. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "Hidden Lake Peaks". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
- ^ "Hidden Lake Lookout, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Skagit County listings at National Register of Historic Places
- ^ "Hidden Lake Peak Lookout | National Historic Lookout Register". Archived from the original on 2019-05-12. Retrieved 2019-05-12.
- ^ "Hidden Lake Lookout Trail #745 Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
External links
- Hidden Lake Trail National Park Service
- Hidden Lake Peaks: weather forecast
- Hidden Lake Peaks: YouTube
- Hidden Lake Peaks photo: Flickr