Gardner Mountain

Gardner Mountain
Gardner Mountain
	East aspect (left of center)
Highest point
Elevation	8,898 ft (2,712 m)
Prominence	718 ft (219 m)
Parent peak	North Gardner Mountain (8,956 ft)
Isolation	0.83 mi (1.34 km)
Coordinates	48°30′25″N120°29′17″W / 48.5068242°N 120.4880948°W
Naming
Etymology	Isabella Stewart Gardner
Geography
	Gardner Mountain Location in Washington Gardner Mountain Gardner Mountain (the United States)
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Okanogan
Protected area	Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness
Parent range	Cascade Range ; North Cascades ; Methow Mountains
Topo map	USGS Mazama
Geology
Type of rock	Sedimentary and Volcanic
Climbing
First ascent	1898 Albert Hale Sylvester
Easiest route	class 2+ scrambling

Last updated January 07, 2024

Gardner Mountain is an 8,898-foot-elevation (2,712-meter) mountain summit in Okanogan County of Washington state.

Description

Gardner Mountain is the second-highest peak in the Methow Mountains which are a subrange of the North Cascades.^[2] It is set on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest and is the highest point of the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness.^[2] Gardner ranks as the second-highest peak in Okanogan County and the 28th-highest summit in Washington.^[3] Precipitation runoff from the mountain's slopes drains into tributaries of the Methow River. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) above Wolf Creek in 1.5 mile (2.4 km). The town of Winthrop is 14 mi (23 km) to the east-southeast and Mazama is 7 mi (11 km) northeast.

Climate

Weather fronts 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 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. This climate supports two small glacier remnants on Gardner's northeast slope.^[1] 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.^[1] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.

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.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.^[5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.^[5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.^[5]

During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.^[5] 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.

History

The mountain was named "Mt. Gardner" in 1891 by Guy Waring of Winthrop to honor Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840–1924).^[6]^[7] Further north, Isabella Ridge is also named after her.^[7]^[8] Waring was a friend of Isabella and he was a classmate of Isabella's brother-in-law, Joseph Gardner.

In 1898 or 1899, Albert Hale Sylvester and a USGS survey party climbed the mountain.^[1]

This mountain's toponym has been officially adopted by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.^[4]

Related Research Articles

Silver Star Mountain is an 8,876-foot (2,705-metre) mountain located in Okanogan County, Washington. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, a subset of the Cascade Range. Silver Star is the dominant feature in the Washington Pass area and visible from the North Cascades Highway. It was first climbed by Lage Wernstedt in 1926.

Golden Horn is an 8,366-foot (2,550-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Golden Horn is situated north of Methow Pass at headwaters of the Methow River, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. It ranks as the 95th-highest summit in Washington. The nearest higher peak is Tower Mountain, 1.67 miles (2.69 km) to the southeast. The first ascent of Golden Horn was made by Fred Beckey, Keith Rankin, and Charles Welsh on September 18, 1946.

Mount Hardy is an 8,080+ ft mountain summit located on the common border of Okanogan County with Skagit County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Mount Hardy is situated west of Methow Pass, at headwaters of the Methow River, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Golden Horn, 1.75 miles (2.82 km) to the northeast. Mount Hardy can be seen from the North Cascades Highway which traverses below the southwestern base of the mountain. This mountain's name was officially adopted in 1973 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

Snagtooth Ridge is a jagged granitic ridge located in Okanogan County of Washington state. It is part of the Methow Mountains which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. Snagtooth Ridge is situated between Silver Star Mountain and Kangaroo Ridge on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest.

Vasiliki Ridge is a three-mile-long ridge located in Okanogan County of Washington state. It is part of the Methow Mountains which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. Vasiliki Ridge is situated north of Silver Star Mountain on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The name Vasiliki was recommended by climber Fred Beckey who made the first ascent in 1952. Vasiliki Ridge can be seen from Washington Pass and from the North Cascades Highway.

Holliway Mountain is an 8000+ ft granite summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades Range. Holliway Mountain is situated near the headwaters of the Methow River on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Golden Horn, 0.91 miles (1.46 km) to the south. Azurite Peak is located three miles to the north-northwest.

Monument Peak is an 8,597-foot (2,620-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 2.42 miles (3.89 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Monument Peak drains east into Monument Creek, and west into Eureka Creek, which are both part of the Methow River drainage basin.

Remmel Mountain, also known as Mount Remmel, is a prominent 8,690-foot (2,650-metre) mountain summit located in Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the highest point in the Cathedral Range, which is a subrange of the Okanogan Range in the North Cascades. The mountain is situated 5 miles (8.0 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the eastern side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 16.8 miles (27.0 km) to the west-southwest, and Amphitheater Mountain lies 3.6 miles (5.8 km) to the north. Remmel is the third-highest summit of the Okanogan Range following Mount Lago (8,745 ft), and Robinson Mountain (8,726 ft). These three peaks follow Jack Mountain {9,075 ft} as the highest peaks in the Pasayten Wilderness. Remmel is the most prominent mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness. Precipitation runoff from Remmel Mountain drains into the Chewuch River basin.

Mount Lago is a prominent 8,745-foot (2,665-metre) mountain summit located in the Okanogan Range of the North Cascades, in Okanogan County of Washington state. The mountain is situated on the eastern side of the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Jack Mountain, 19.5 miles (31.4 km) to the west-southwest. Mount Lago is the highest summit of the Okanogan Range, and follows only Jack Mountain {9,075 ft} as the highest peak in the Pasayten Wilderness. Lago is the fourth-most prominent mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Pasayten River and Methow River. The mountain was named for Lage Wernstedt (1878-1959), a Forest Service surveyor who made numerous first ascents of the mountains he was mapping in the North Cascades. Lago, is a play on the way Americans pronounced his name. Lage, pronounced Loggy, had a son named Lago.

Castle Peak is a prominent 8,306-foot (2,532-metre) mountain summit located in the Hozameen Range of the North Cascades, on the shared border between Okanogan County and Whatcom County of Washington state. The mountain is situated 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the Canada–United States border, on the Cascade crest, in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Jack Mountain, 14.8 miles (23.8 km) to the south-southwest. Castle Peak is the second highest summit of the Hozameen Range following Jack Mountain. Castle Peak is the fifth-most prominent mountain in the Pasaten Wilderness. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains east into Castle Creek, a tributary of the Similkameen River, or west into tributaries of the Skagit River.

Mount Carru is an 8,595-foot (2,620-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is the 7th highest peak of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Lago, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the east, and Osceola Peak stands 1 mile (1.6 km) west. The mountain has a steep north face, but the south slope is covered in scree which allows a nontechnical climbing ascent. Precipitation runoff from Mount Carru drains north into Lease Creek which is a tributary of the Pasayten River, or south into Eureka Creek, which is part of the Methow River drainage basin.

Half Moon is a 7,960+ ft summit located in Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest, in Okanogan County, of Washington state. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range. Half Moon is situated on Kangaroo Ridge which is approximately two miles east and within view of the North Cascades Highway at Washington Pass. Its nearest higher peak is Wallaby Peak, 0.23 mi (0.37 km) to the south. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into Early Winters Creek, and Cedar Creek, both of which are tributaries of the Methow River.

Gray Peak is an 8,082-foot (2,463-metre) mountain summit located in the Methow Mountains, a sub-range of the North Cascades in Washington state. Situated on Sawtooth Ridge, west of Oval Lakes, Gray Peak is protected by the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness within the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Courtney Peak, 1.07 miles (1.72 km) to the southeast. Precipitation runoff on the south side of the mountain drains into nearby Lake Chelan via Fish Creek, whereas the north side of the mountain drains into Oval Creek, which is a tributary of the Twisp River.

Osceola Peak is an 8,587-foot (2,617-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1972. Osceola is the 10th highest peak of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. Osceola Peak ranks 50th on Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 48th on the "Bulger List". The mountain is situated in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Mount Carru, 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east. The mountain has a steep north face, but the south slope is covered in scree which allows a nontechnical climbing ascent. Precipitation runoff from Osceola Peak drains north into tributaries of the Similkameen River, or south into Eureka Creek, which is part of the Methow River drainage basin.

Martin Peak is an 8,375-foot (2,553-metre) mountain summit located in the Methow Mountains, a subset of the North Cascades in Washington state. It is the seventh-highest peak in the Methow Mountains, and ranks 80th in the state of Washington. Martin Peak is set on Sawtooth Ridge, at the head of Martin Creek, on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Other peaks of Sawtooth Ridge include Oval Peak, Star Peak, Hoodoo Peak, Courtney Peak, Switchback Peak, and Mount Bigelow, which is the nearest higher neighbor, 2.06 miles (3.32 km) to the north of Martin.

Tatie Peak is a 7,386-foot (2,251-metre) mountain summit located on the shared border between Okanogan County and Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range, which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. The mountain is situated 2.6 miles (4.2 km) east of Mount Ballard, and 3.3 miles (5.3 km) south of Slate Peak, on land managed by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Syncline Mountain, 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the south-southwest. The Pacific Crest Trail traverses the south slope of the peak, with an easy off-trail scramble to reach the summit. Precipitation runoff from Tatie Peak drains south into Trout Creek which is a tributary of the Methow River, or northwest into Slate Creek, which is part of the Skagit River drainage basin.

Lost Peak is an 8,464-foot (2,580-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a subset of the North Cascades. This remote mountain is situated 16 mi (26 km) north of Mazama, and 7 mi (11 km) northwest of Big Craggy Peak. It is set in the Pasayten Wilderness, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. Lost Peak ranks 62nd of Washington's highest 100 peaks, and 63rd on the "Bulger List". Precipitation runoff from Lost Peak drains into tributaries of Lost River, which in turn is part of the Methow River drainage basin.

Sherman Peak is an 8,204-foot (2,501-metre) mountain summit located in western Okanogan County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a subset of the North Cascades. This remote mountain is on Isabella Ridge, 10.5 mi (16.9 km) north-northeast of Mazama, on land administered by the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The nearest higher neighbor is Big Craggy Peak, 2 miles (3.2 km) to the north. Precipitation runoff from Sherman drains into tributaries of the Methow River.

Mother Lode is a 7,905-foot-elevation (2,409-meter) mountain summit located in the North Cascades, in Okanogan County, Washington. It is situated in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, on land managed by Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain is part of the Methow Mountains, which are a subset of the Cascade Range, and the peak is approximately two miles east of the crest of the range. Mother Lode is set approximately six miles south of Washington Pass, and the nearest higher neighbor is Gilbert Mountain, three miles to the northeast. Topographic relief is significant as the north aspect rises 3,500 feet above the South Fork Twisp River in one mile. The peak was climbed in 1983 by Rick La Belle and Glen Sterr via the north ridge, and the northeast ridge was climbed in 1985 by Carl and Gordon Skoog. Precipitation runoff from the peak drains into tributaries of Twisp River, which in turn is a tributary of the Methow River.

Mount Bigelow is an 8,449-foot-elevation (2,575-meter) mountain summit located on the border shared by Okanogan and Chelan counties in Washington state.

References

1 2 3 4 5 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.
1 2 3 4 "Gardner Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
1 2 3 4 5 "Gardner Mountain - 8,898' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
1 2 "Gardner Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2023-08-11.
1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.
↑ Morris Carter, Isabella Stewart Gardner and Fenway Court, Houghton Mifflin (1925), p. 121.
1 2 Nicole Hardina, Little Washington: A Nostalgic Look at the Evergreen State's Smallest Towns, Adventure Publications (2020), ISBN 9781591938460
↑ "Isabella Ridge". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2023-08-11.

External links

Weather: Gardner Mountain
National Geodetic Survey Data Sheet
Gardner Mountain (aerial photo): PBase

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[Beckey,_Fred_W_2008-1] 1 2 3 4 5 Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.

[pb-2] 1 2 3 4 "Gardner Mountain, Washington". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.

[listsofjohn-3] 1 2 3 4 5 "Gardner Mountain - 8,898' WA". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2023-08-11.

[gnis-4] 1 2 "Gardner Mountain". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2023-08-11.

[Kruckeberg-5] 1 2 3 4 Kruckeberg, Arthur (1991). The Natural History of Puget Sound Country. University of Washington Press.

[6] Morris Carter, Isabella Stewart Gardner and Fenway Court, Houghton Mifflin (1925), p. 121.

[Hardina-7] 1 2 Nicole Hardina, Little Washington: A Nostalgic Look at the Evergreen State's Smallest Towns, Adventure Publications (2020), ISBN 9781591938460

[gnis2-8] "Isabella Ridge". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved 2023-08-11.

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