Snagtooth Ridge

Snagtooth Ridge[2] is a jagged granitic ridge located in Okanogan County of Washington state. It is part of the Methow Mountains which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. Snagtooth Ridge is situated between Silver Star Mountain and Kangaroo Ridge on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest.

Snagtooth Ridge
Snagtooth Ridge from North Cascades Highway
Highest point
Elevation8,330 ft (2,540 m)[1]
Prominence570 ft (170 m)[1]
Coordinates48°32′05″N 120°35′22″W[1]
Geography
Snagtooth Ridge is located in Washington (state)
Snagtooth Ridge
Snagtooth Ridge
Snagtooth Ridge is located in the United States
Snagtooth Ridge
Snagtooth Ridge
Snagtooth Ridge (the United States)
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Silver Star Mountain
Climbing
First ascent1946 Fred Beckey
Easiest routeScrambling

Big Snagtooth, at 8,330 feet elevation, is the highest point on Snagtooth Ridge. Other named spires include Willow Tooth, Cedar Tooth, Decayed Tooth, Red Tooth, Dog Tooth, Grey Tooth, Split Tooth, Cleft Tooth, Silver Tooth, and Last Tooth.[3] The first ascent of Big Snagtooth was made September 29, 1946, by Fred Beckey, Jerry O'Neil, and Charles Welsh.[4] Precipitation runoff from the ridge drains into tributaries of the Methow River.

Climate

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 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. 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.[5] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[5]

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.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[6] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[6] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[6]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[6] 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.

  • Snagtooth Ridge seen from Kangaroo Ridge
    Snagtooth Ridge seen from Kangaroo Ridge
  • Snagtooth Ridge with Dog Tooth, Red Tooth, Cedar Tooth
    Snagtooth Ridge with Dog Tooth, Red Tooth, Cedar Tooth
  • Snagtooth Ridge
    Snagtooth Ridge
  • Snagtooth Ridge (left) from Maple Pass trail
    Snagtooth Ridge (left) from Maple Pass trail
  • Snagtooth Ridge from Maple Pass trail
    Snagtooth Ridge from Maple Pass trail

See also

References
  1. "Big Snagtooth, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. "Snagtooth Ridge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  3. Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. ISBN 978-1-59485-136-0.
  4. "WA 100 Highest FA Chronology".
  5. Beckey, p. 16
  6. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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