Crescent Mountain (Washington)

Mountain in Washington (state), United States

Crescent Mountain
South aspect, from Old Desolate
Highest point
Elevation	6,715 ft (2,047 m)
Prominence	275 ft (84 m)
Parent peak	Sluiskin Mountain (7,026 ft)
Isolation	0.85 mi (1.37 km)
Coordinates	46°56′53″N 121°45′43″W / 46.948069°N 121.76182°W / 46.948069; -121.76182
Geography
Crescent MountainLocation of Crescent Mountain in WashingtonShow map of Washington (state)Crescent MountainCrescent Mountain (the United States)Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Pierce
Protected area	Mount Rainier National Park
Parent range	Cascades
Topo map	USGS Mowich Lake
Climbing
Easiest route	scrambling

Crescent Mountain is a 6,715-ft (2,047 m) ridge-like mountain located in north-central Mount Rainier National Park, in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range, and lies 6.6 mi (10.6 km) due north of the summit of Mount Rainier. Sluiskin Mountain is its nearest higher neighbor, 0.85 mi (1.37 km) to the east. Precipitation runoff from Crescent Mountain drains west into tributaries of the Carbon River.

History

This mountain's descriptive name Crescent derives from its crescent shape as it wraps around Crescent Lake. This feature was named by geologist Bailey Willis in 1883. The name was officially adopted in 1932 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

Climate

Crescent Mountainis located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean 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 snow 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. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. 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. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

References

^ "Crescent Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com.
^ "Crescent Mountain - 6,715' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
"Crescent Mountain". Bivouac.com. Retrieved 2020-07-13.
^ Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
^ "Crescent Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
Mount Rainier National Park Place Names. Gary Fuller Reese (author), 2009.