{{short description|Mountain in Washington (state), United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Whatcom Peak | image = Whatcom_Peak_1994.jpeg | image_caption = North aspect | elevation_ft = 7574 | elevation_ref = <ref name=pb>{{cite peakbagger|pid=1648|name=Whatcom Peak, Washington|accessdate=April 28, 2013}}</ref> | prominence_ft = 1294 | prominence_ref = <ref name=pb/> | country = United States | state = Washington | region = Whatcom | region_type = County | part_type = Protected&nbsp;area | part = North Cascades National Park | range = Cascade Range | map = USA Washington#USA | map_caption = Location in Washington | label_position = right | map_size = 225 | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 | mapframe-caption = Interactive map of Whatcom Peak | coordinates = {{coord|48|51|22|N|121|22|57|W|type:mountain_region:US-WA_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = <ref name=gnis>{{cite gnis|id=1528017|name=Whatcom Peak|accessdate=April 28, 2013}}</ref> | topo = USGS Mount Challenger | first_ascent = 1936 Fred Berry, Lawrence Buchanen | easiest_route = }}

'''Whatcom Peak''' ({{convert|7574|ft}}) is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.<ref name=topo>{{Cite map|publisher=TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps)|title=Mount Challenger, WA|url=http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=48.85776&lon=-121.37293&datum=nad83&zoom=2&map=auto&coord=d&mode=zoomin&size=m|accessdate=April 28, 2013}}</ref> Whatcom Peak is {{convert|.50|mi|abbr=on}} north of Challenger Glacier and the Whatcom Glacier descends from the northeast slopes of the peak. An unnamed hanging glacier descends along the northwest flank of the peak.<ref>{{cite book|last=Beckey|first=Fred|title=Cascade Alpine Guide: Climbing and High Routes Rainy Pass to Fraser River|year=2008|publisher=The Mountaineers Books|isbn=978-1594851360|page=122}}</ref> This mountain is set between Mount Challenger and Easy Peak.

==Climate== Whatcom Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.<ref name="Beckey 15">Beckey, p. 15</ref> Most 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 (Orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.<ref name="Beckey 15" /> Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.<ref name="Beckey 16" /> Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below {{convert|0|°F|°C}} or above {{convert|80|°F|°C}}.<ref name="Beckey 15" /> 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>

==Geology==

The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, 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.

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 volcanic igneous activity persisted.<ref name=Kruckeberg/> In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes 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. 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.

==Gallery== <gallery> File:Whatcom Peak seen from Brush Creek Trail.jpg|Whatcom Peak seen from Brush Creek Trail </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * Whatcom Peak aerial photo: [https://pbase.com/nolock/image/111667416 PBase] * Weather forecast: [https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/daily-table/2-5815684/United%20States/Washington/Whatcom/Whatcom%20Peak Whatcom Peak]

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Category:Mountains of Whatcom County, Washington Category:North Cascades of Washington (state) Category:North Cascades National Park Category:Two-thousanders of the United States