Sunrise Peak
Geology
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 occurred. Mount Adams, a stratovolcano that is 15.7 mi (25.3 km) southeast of Sunrise Peak, began forming in the Pleistocene. Due to Mount Saint Helens' proximity to Sunrise Peak, volcanic ash is common in the area. Sunrise Peak is composed of Pliocene-Miocene andesitic magma that intruded up into older volcanic rocks more than five million years ago and is now surrounded by a forest of old-growth Douglas fir and mountain hemlock.
Climate
Sunrise Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, 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 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.
See also
References
- ^ "Sunrise Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
- ^ "Sunrise Peak - 5,892' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
- ^ "Sunrise Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
- ^ 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
- Weather forecast: Sunrise Peak
- Trail #261A Sunrise Peak: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Hiking Sunrise Peak: Washington Trails Association