Raven Ridge (Washington)

Raven Ridge[3] is a 8,572-foot (2,613-metre) mountain ridge located in the Methow Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is protected by the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness within the Okanogan National Forest. The highest point of Raven Ridge is Corax Peak on the east end.[2] Libby Peak (8555 ft) is the high point on the west end of Raven Ridge.[1] The nearest higher peak is Star Peak, 4.53 miles (7.29 km) to the west.[1] Hoodoo Peak lies one mile to the north. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Methow River, which is a tributary of the Columbia River.

Raven Ridge
Raven Ridge
Highest point
Elevation8,572 ft (2,613 m) [1]
Prominence1,092 ft (333 m) [1]
Isolation4.53 mi (7.29 km) [1]
Coordinates48°14′16″N 120°19′55″W [1]
Geography
Raven Ridge
Raven Ridge
Raven Ridge (the United States)
Parent rangeNorth Cascades
Topo mapUSGS Martin Peak
Climbing
Easiest routeScrambling[2]

Climate

Lying east of the Cascade crest, the area around Raven Ridge is a bit drier than areas to the west. Summers can bring warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms. With its impressive height, it 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.

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] 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.

See also
  • List of highest mountain peaks in Washington Raven Ridge ranks #36

References
Raven Ridge above Libby Lake
  1. "Raven Ridge". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  2. Beckey, Fred W. (2009). Cascade Alpine Guide: climbing and high routes, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River (3rd ed.). Mountaineers Books. p. 284. ISBN 978-1-59485-136-0.
  3. "Raven Ridge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  4. Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
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