Extensive meadows are crowned by glacial peaks. 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.Many believe the Easy Pass and Fisher Basin area to be one of the most superb places in the North Cascades. The 'U'-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of recent glaciation. ĭuring the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.

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 North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial valleys. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. 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. Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 ☏ (−18 ☌) or above 80 ☏ (27 ☌). As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Graybeard Peak from Maple Pass loop trailĪs 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. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. Graybeard Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Precipitation runoff on the east side of the mountain drains into Ross Lake via Granite Creek, whereas the west side of the mountain drains into Diablo Lake via Fisher Creek. The nearest higher peak is Fisher Peak, 1.33 miles (2.14 km) to the south. Other peaks on Ragged Ridge include Mesahchie Peak, Kimtah Peak, and Katsuk Peak. Graybeard Peak is situated on Ragged Ridge.

Graybeard Peak straddles the North Cascades National Park boundary line, and can be seen from the North Cascades Highway at the Easy Pass Trailhead. The mountain is part of the North Cascades Range. Graybeard Peak is a 7,965-foot (2,428-metre) mountain summit located in Skagit County, Washington. Graybeard Peak (the United States) Show map of the United States

Easy pass north cascades