Hall Peak (Washington)

Hall Peak is a 5,484-foot (1,672-metre) mountain summit located in the South Fork Stillaguamish River Valley near the western edge of the North Cascades, in Snohomish County of Washington state. It is located 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Barlow Pass along the Mountain Loop Highway, near the Monte Cristo area, on land administered by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Its nearest higher peak is Big Four Mountain, one mile to the south-southwest. Both mountains can be prominently seen from the Big Four picnic area, where the trail to the Big Four Ice Caves starts. The peak is named for mining prospector George Hall, who in 1891, discovered the Forty Five claim.

Hall Peak
Hall Peak
Highest point
Elevation	5,484 ft (1,672 m)
Prominence	964 ft (294 m)
Parent peak	Big Four Mountain (6,180 ft)
Isolation	1.39 mi (2.24 km)
Coordinates	48°03′36″N 121°32′26″W
Geography
Hall Peak Location of Hall Peak in Washington Hall Peak Hall Peak (the United States)
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Snohomish
Parent range	North Cascades Cascade Range
Topo map	USGS Silverton
Geology
Rock age	260 to 370 million years
Rock type	phyllitic slate, argillite
Climbing
First ascent	1927, Art Winder
Easiest route	Scrambling Southeast ridge

East aspect of Hall Peak,
with Mt. Pilchuck in the distance.

Climate

Hall 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 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. 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). 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.

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.

Hall Peak from Big Four picnic area

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.

See also

• Geography of Washington (state)
• Geology of the Pacific Northwest

External links

• Flickr photo: Big Four And Hall Peak from picnic area
• Hall Peak aerial photo: PBase
• Hall Peak: Weather forecast