Palisades Peak

Palisades Peak
Palisades Peak seen from Sunrise Point
Highest point
Elevation 7,040 ft (2,150 m) [1]
Prominence 600 ft (180 m) [1]
Coordinates 46°56′52″N 121°36′17″W / 46.947822°N 121.604655°W / 46.947822; -121.604655Coordinates: 46°56′52″N 121°36′17″W / 46.947822°N 121.604655°W / 46.947822; -121.604655 
Geography
Palisades Peak
Location of Marcus Peak in Washington
Palisades Peak
Palisades Peak (the US)
Location Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, U.S.
Parent range Cascades
Topo map USGS White River Park
Type of rock Andesite, Basalt
Climbing
Easiest route Scrambling class 3

Palisades Peak is a 7,040 feet (2,150 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Sourdough Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range, and is situated 0.6 mile north of Marcus Peak. The peak's descriptive name stems from the resemblance of its columnar basalt cliffs to a palisade. Access is via Palisades Lakes Trail which starts at Sunrise Point. Access to Sunrise Point is limited due to snowpack closing the Sunrise Road much of the year. July, August, and September are typically the months when the Sunrise Road is seasonally open for vehicle traffic. Precipitation runoff from Palisades Peak drains into the White River.

Climate

Palisades Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[2] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.

References

  1. 1 2 "Palisades Peak, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
  2. ↑ Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
Marcus Peak (left) with Palisades Peak (right)
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