# Cache Col

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cache_Col.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_Col
> Source revision: 1355623535
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2026}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Cache Col
| image = Cache Col.jpeg
| image_caption = 
| elevation_ft = 6903
| elevation_ref = <ref name="gnis">
  {{cite gnis
  | id = 1517198
  | name = Cache Col
  | accessdate = 2018-07-21 }}</ref>
| country = United States
| state = [Washington](/source/Washington_(U.S._state))
| region = [Skagit](/source/Skagit_County%2C_Washington) / [Chelan](/source/Chelan_County%2C_Washington)
| region_type = County
| part_type = Protected&nbsp;area
| part = [Glacier Peak Wilderness](/source/Glacier_Peak_Wilderness)
| range = [North Cascades](/source/North_Cascades)
| map = Washington#USA
| map_caption = Location in Washington
| map_size = 280
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 8
| mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Cache Col
| label_position = right
| coordinates = {{coord|48.4484594|N|121.0528892|W|type:mountain_region:US-WA_scale:100000_source:ngs|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = <ref name="gnis">
  {{cite gnis
  | id = 1517198
  | name = Cache Col
  | accessdate = 2018-07-21 }}</ref>
| topo = [USGS](/source/United_States_Geological_Survey) Cascade Pass
}}

'''Cache Col''' is a gap in a high ridge between [Magic Mountain](/source/Magic_Mountain_(Washington)) and [Mix-up Peak](/source/Mix-up_Peak). It's located at the highest part of [Cache Glacier](/source/Cache_Col_Glacier), on the shared boundary of [Skagit County](/source/Skagit_County%2C_Washington) and [Chelan County](/source/Chelan_County%2C_Washington) in [Washington](/source/Washington_(U.S._state)) state. Cache Col is situated south of [Cascade Pass](/source/Cascade_Pass) on the shared border of [North Cascades National Park](/source/North_Cascades_National_Park) and [Glacier Peak Wilderness](/source/Glacier_Peak_Wilderness). Cache Col and the [Cache Glacier](/source/Cache_Col_Glacier) are at the northern end of the [Ptarmigan Traverse](/source/Ptarmigan_Traverse) which is mountaineering route that provides access to remote peaks such as [Mount Formidable](/source/Mount_Formidable) and [Dome Peak](/source/Dome_Peak). [Precipitation](/source/Precipitation) [runoff](/source/Surface_runoff) on the north side of the [col](/source/col) drains into the [Stehekin River](/source/Stehekin_River), while precipitation drains into the [Cascade River](/source/Cascade_River_(Washington)) from the south side.

==Climate==
Cache Col is located in the [marine west coast](/source/marine_west_coast) climate zone of western [North America](/source/North_America).<ref name="Beckey, Fred W 2008">Beckey, Fred W. Cascade Alpine Guide, Climbing and High Routes. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books, 2008.</ref> Most [weather front](/source/weather_front)s originate in the [Pacific Ocean](/source/Pacific_Ocean), and travel northeast toward the [Cascade Mountains](/source/Cascade_Mountains). As fronts approach the [North Cascades](/source/North_Cascades), they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of [rain](/source/rain) or [snowfall](/source/snowfall) onto the Cascades ([Orographic lift](/source/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. 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.<ref name="Beckey 16">Beckey, p. 16</ref> Because of [maritime influence](/source/Oceanic_climate), snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high [avalanche](/source/avalanche) danger.<ref name="Beckey 16" />

==Geology==
The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the [Cascade Range](/source/Cascade_Range) with craggy peaks and ridges, deep [glacial valley](/source/glacial_valley)s, and [granite](/source/granite) spires. 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](/source/ecoregion)s in this area.

The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late [Eocene](/source/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](/source/North_American_Plate) overriding the [Pacific Plate](/source/Pacific_Plate), episodes of [volcanic igneous activity](/source/volcano) persisted.<ref name=Kruckeberg/>  In addition, small fragments of the [oceanic](/source/oceanic_lithosphere) and [continental lithosphere](/source/continental_lithosphere) called [terrane](/source/terrane)s created the [North Cascades](/source/North_Cascades) about 50 million years ago.<ref name=Kruckeberg/>

During the [Pleistocene](/source/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. [Uplift](/source/orogeny) and [fault](/source/fault_(geology))ing in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Detail of glacier on the North Cascade Range, Cascade Pass, Washington, 1900 (GLACIERS 4999).jpg|Cache Glacier with Cache Col in upper left, circa 1900
File:Gunsight Notch.jpeg|Gunsight Notch, which is lower on the Cache Glacier and should not be mistaken for Cache Col
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{stack|{{Portal|United States}}}}
*[https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm North Cascades National Park] National Park Service

Category:North Cascades of Washington (state)
Category:Landforms of Chelan County, Washington
Category:Landforms of Skagit County, Washington
Category:Ridges of Washington (state)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cache Col](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_Col) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache_Col?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.