# Mount Triumph > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mount_Triumph > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mount_Triumph.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Triumph > Source revision: 1356699069 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Mount Triumph** is a summit in the [North Cascades](/source/North_Cascades) range of [Washington](/source/Washington_(U.S._state)) state. Located approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 km) west-northwest of the town of [Newhalem](/source/Newhalem,_Washington), it was named by Lage Wernstedt, a surveyor with the [U.S. Forest Service](/source/United_States_Forest_Service).[2] A significant peak in [North Cascades National Park](/source/North_Cascades_National_Park), Mount Triumph is one of its "outstanding sights" and is well known among regional climbers for its lack of easy [climbing routes](/source/Rock_climbing) to the summit.[1][3] Despite its moderate elevation, its local [relief](/source/Terrain) is dramatic. With the terrain deeply dissected by the valleys of [Bacon Creek](/source/Bacon_Creek) on the west and [Goodell Creek](/source/Goodell_Creek) on the east, it rises 1 mile (1.6 km) in less than 2 miles (3.2 km) on the latter side. The mountain is extremely rugged and one author describes it as "a rock thumb with near-vertical to overhanging [faces](/source/Cliff) on three sides."[3] From above, it has the appearance of a three-bladed [propeller](/source/Propeller) consisting of the northeast, northwest, and south ridges. [Mount Despair](/source/Mount_Despair_(Washington)) (7,292 ft or 2,223 m) is located 2.3 miles (3.7 km) to the north-northwest. The two peaks are connected by Triumph Pass (5,520 ft or 1,680 m).[4] ## Geology The mountain lies completely within the drainage of the [Skagit River](/source/Skagit_River), Bacon Creek and Goodell Creek being tributaries of the Skagit. Two small glaciers are found below the east face and north faces, both of which are receding.[4] The south ridge of Mount Triumph ends at a minor peak that has been called Thornton Peak (6,935 ft or 2,114 m).[1] On its south flank is a deep [cirque](/source/Cirque) that hold the [Thornton Lakes](/source/Thornton_Lakes), a chain of three lakes at 4,486 feet (1,367 m) to 5,040 feet (1,540 m), the source of south-flowing Thornton Creek, another tributary of the Skagit River. Mount Triumph is composed of old [orthogneiss](/source/Gneiss). Neighboring Mount Despair is an exposure of light grey [granodiorite](/source/Granodiorite), part of the great [pluton](/source/Pluton) of the [Chilliwack batholith](/source/Chilliwack_batholith), which is visible west of the Thornton Lakes. East of the lakes are dark [amphibolite](/source/Amphibolite), orthogneiss and mica quartz [schist](/source/Schist).[5] ## Climbing The easiest route to the summit is on the west. It is rated and can be dangerous when wet. The approach is by means of the Triumph Pass climber's route. The northeast ridge is more difficult at class 5.5, but is a notable climb on generally good rock. It is approached by means of the Thornton Lakes Trail.[1] A [scrambling](/source/Scrambling) route from Thornton Lakes Trail leads to the summit of Trappers Peak (5,966 ft or 1,818 m) which provides good views of Mount Triumph. ## Climate Mount Triumph is located in the [marine west coast](/source/Marine_west_coast) climate zone of western [North America](/source/North_America).[1] Most [weather fronts](/source/Weather_front) 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 or 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. Because of [maritime influence](/source/Oceanic_climate), snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high [avalanche](/source/Avalanche) danger.[1] ## Nearby mountains - [Mount Blum](/source/Mount_Blum) - [Mount Despair](/source/Mount_Despair_(Washington)) - [Mount Shuksan](/source/Mount_Shuksan) - [Mount Terror](/source/Mount_Terror_(Washington)) ## References 1. Beckey, Fred W. (2008). *Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River*. 3rd ed. [Mountaineers Books](/source/The_Mountaineers_(club)). ISBN 978-1-59485-136-0. 1. Majors, Harry M. (1975). [*Exploring Washington*](https://books.google.com/books?id=CoWrPQAACAAJ). Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6. 1. Mueller, Marge & Mueller, Ted (2002). *Exploring Washington's wild areas: a guide for hikers, backpackers, climbers, cross-country skiers, paddlers*. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. p. 118. ISBN 0-89886-807-6. 1. Tabor, Rowland & Haugerud, Ralph (1999). *Geology of the North Cascades: a mountain mosaic*. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. pp. 61–62. ISBN 0-89886-623-5. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mount Triumph](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Triumph) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Triumph?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.