View source for Martin Peak (Methow Mountains)

{{short description|Mountain in Washington (state), United States}}
{{Distinguish|Martin Peak (Washington)}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Martin Peak
| photo = Martin Peak on Sawtooth Ridge.jpg
| photo_caption = Martin Peak, northwest aspect
| photo_size = 280
| elevation_ft = 837
| elevation_ref = <ref name="pb">{{cite peakbagger|1966|Martin Peak|accessdate=2020-05-27}}</ref><ref name="Beckey, Fred W 2008"/>
| prominence_ft = 855
| prominence_ref = <ref name="pb"/>
| isolation_mi = 2.08
| isolation_ref = <ref name="listsofjohn">{{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/48744|title=Martin Peak - 8,377' WA|website=listsofjohn.com|accessdate=2024-04-09}}</ref>
| parent_peak = [[Mount Bigelow (Washington)|Mount Bigelow]] (8,449&nbsp;ft)<ref name="listsofjohn"/>
| map = Washington#USA
| map_caption = Location in Washington
| map_size = 270
| label_position = right
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 8
| mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Martin Peak
| country = United States
| state = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| region = [[Chelan County, Washington|Chelan]] / [[Okanogan County, Washington|Okanogan]]
| region_type = County
| range = Methow Mountains<br/>[[North Cascades]]<br/>[[Cascade Range]]
| coordinates = {{coord|48.188568|N|120.351013|W|type:mountain_region:US-WA_scale:100000_source:peakbagger|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = <ref name="pb"/>
| topo = [[United States Geological Survey|USGS]] ''Martin Peak''
| type =
| age =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route = [[Scrambling]] {{YDS|2+}}<ref name="listsofjohn"/>
}}
'''Martin Peak''' is an {{Convert|8377|ft|m|abbr=off|adj=on}} mountain summit located in the Methow Mountains, a subset of the [[North Cascades]] in [[Washington (state)|Washington state]].<ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis|id=1522771|name=Martin Peak|accessdate=2020-05-27}}</ref> It is the seventh-highest peak in the Methow Mountains, and ranks 80th in the state of Washington.<ref name="pb"/> Martin Peak is set on Sawtooth Ridge, at the head of Martin Creek, on land managed by the [[Okanogan National Forest|Okanogan]]-[[Wenatchee National Forest]]. Other peaks of Sawtooth Ridge include [[Oval Peak]], [[Star Peak (Washington)|Star Peak]], [[Hoodoo Peak]], [[Courtney Peak (Washington)|Courtney Peak]], [[Switchback Peak]], and Mount Bigelow, which is the nearest higher neighbor, {{convert|2.06|mi|km}} to the north of Martin.<ref name=pb/>
==Climate==
Lying east of the [[Cascade mountains|Cascade]] crest, the area around Martin Peak is a bit drier than areas to the west. Summers can bring warm temperatures and occasional thunderstorms. [[Weather front]]s originating in the Pacific Ocean 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 snow onto the Cascades ([[Orographic lift]]). As a result, the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.<ref name="Beckey, Fred W 2008">Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.</ref> With its impressive height, Martin Peak can have snow on it in late-spring and early-fall, and can be very cold in the winter. Precipitation [[Surface runoff|runoff]] on the west side of the mountain drains into [[Lake Chelan]] via Prince Creek, whereas the east side of the mountain drains into Martin Creek and tributaries of the [[Methow River]].
==Geology==
The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the [[Cascade Range]] with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep [[glacial valley]]s. 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 [[ecoregion]]s in this area.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late [[Eocene]] Epoch.<ref name=Kruckeberg>{{cite book|last=Kruckeberg|first=Arthur|title=The Natural History of Puget Sound Country|publisher=University of Washington Press|year=1991}}</ref> With the [[North American Plate]] overriding the [[Pacific Plate]], episodes of [[volcano|volcanic igneous activity]] persisted.<ref name=Kruckeberg/> &nbsp;In addition, small fragments of the [[oceanic lithosphere|oceanic]] and [[continental lithosphere]] called [[terrane]]s created the [[North Cascades]] about 50 million years ago.<ref name=Kruckeberg/>
During the [[Pleistocene]] period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.<ref name=Kruckeberg/> The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. [[orogeny|Uplift]] and [[fault (geology)|fault]]ing 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==
{{stack|{{Portal|Mountains}}}}
* [[Geography of the North Cascades]]
* [[List of mountain peaks of Washington (state)]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* Martin Peak aerial photo: [https://pbase.com/nolock/image/149499161 PBase]
* Weather forecast: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5802527/United%20States/Washington/Okanogan/Martin%20Peak Martin Peak]
[[Category:North Cascades of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Mountains of Okanogan County, Washington]]
[[Category:Mountains of Chelan County, Washington]]
[[Category:North American 2000 m summits]]