Eldorado Peak

Eldorado Peak
Eldorado Peak and Eldorado Glacier
Highest point
Elevation 8,868 ft (2,703 m)  NGVD 29[1]
Prominence 2,188 ft (667 m) [1]
Coordinates 48°32′15″N 121°08′04″W / 48.537408389°N 121.134500542°W / 48.537408389; -121.134500542Coordinates: 48°32′15″N 121°08′04″W / 48.537408389°N 121.134500542°W / 48.537408389; -121.134500542 [2]
Geography
Parent range North Cascades
Topo map USGS Eldorado Peak
Geology
Age of rock Cretaceous
Mountain type Orthogneiss
Climbing
First ascent August 27, 1933 by Donald Blair, Norval Grigg, Arthur Winder and Arthur Wilson[3]
Easiest route East Ridge, class 2

Eldorado Peak is a 8,868-foot (2,703 m) peak,[1] and is the 25th highest peak in Washington. The mountain is located in the North Cascades of Washington, approximately 27 miles (43 km) east of Concrete. It is located in North Cascades National Park at the head of Marble Creek and just west of the Inspiration Glacier.[4] Other glaciers in the immediate vicinity include Eldorado Glacier and McAllister Glacier; thus Eldorado is flanked by the largest continuous non-volcanic ice sheet in the lower 48 states.

Orography

Eldorado Peak west aspect

Eldorado appears quite different depending on the side one is viewing. On the west side the peak is a steep face made of vertical slabs and small gullies. From the east side the mountain is a small rocky outcropping surrounded by ice. The south face is a triangular face flanked by long ridgelines. The most popular and easiest climbing route is from the south and east, via the Inspiration Glacier and a moderately steep snow ridge. Eldorado is a popular climbing destination due to easy access, being one of the 100 highest peaks in Washington, and superb mountain views. Most climbers will take two days to complete the trip, though the climb can be completed in one long day.[5][6][7]

Routes

  • West Arete rock route up the west face class 5.8 Grade IV
  • East ridge Glacier travel to steep snow ascent class 2
  • Northeast ridge ice and snow ascent Class AI2
  • Northwest Ice Corridor ice and rock class M3 to M4

Geology

Eldorado is very simple geologically when compared to other mountains in the Cascades, with only one major rock type, Cretaceous orthogneiss, more specifically biotite granodiorite. Only the lowest flanks are made of different rock types, mostly heterogeneous metamorphic rock. There are only two normal faults: one on the east flank, the other on the west flank.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Eldorado Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ "Eldorado Peak". NGS data sheet. U.S. National Geodetic Survey.
  3. ↑ "Mountaineer Annual, 1930-39". Alpenglow Ski Mountaineering History Project.
  4. ↑ "Eldorado Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  5. ↑ http://www.summitpost.org/eldorado-peak/150316
  6. ↑ http://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=39.10193,-106.45931&z=12&b=t
  7. ↑ http://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=48.53021,-121.14029&z=12&b=t
  8. ↑ https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/geology/
  • Media related to Eldorado Peak at Wikimedia Commons
  • "Eldorado Peak". SummitPost.org.
  • Breit, Tom. "Eldorado Peak". Peakware.com.
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