Johnson Mountain (Washington)
Johnson Mountain is a 6,721-foot (2,049-metre) mountain summit located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the North Cascades in Washington state.[2] The mountain is situated in eastern Snohomish County, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is White Mountain, 3.3 mi (5.3 km) to the northeast, along with Indian Head Peak 3.38 mi (5.44 km) to the east.[1] Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Sauk River. The mountain's name honors Mackinaw Johnson, a prospector who had a cabin in the vicinity.[3]
| Johnson Mountain | |
|---|---|
 Johnson Mountain seen from Pilot Ridge | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,721 ft (2,049 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 1,241 ft (378 m)[1] |
| Coordinates | 47°59′42″N 121°10′21″W[1] |
| Geography | |
  Johnson Mountain Location in Washington  Johnson Mountain Location in the United States | |
| Location | Glacier Peak Wilderness Snohomish County, Washington |
| Parent range | Cascade Range |
| Topo map | USGS Benchmark Mountain |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking trail |
Geology
The North Cascades feature some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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.[4] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[4] Glacier Peak, a stratovolcano that is 8.52 mi (13.71 km) north of Johnson Mountain, began forming in the mid-Pleistocene.[3] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[4]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[4] The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are 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.
Climate
Johnson Mountain is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[3] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades (Orographic lift). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[3] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C).[3] 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.[3]
References
- "Johnson Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
- "Johnson Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
- 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.