Rocky Peak (Washington)

Rocky Peak
Rocky Peak seen from Eagle Point
Highest point
Elevation	6,218 ft (1,895 m)[1]
Prominence	538 ft (164 m)[1]
Coordinates	47°59′45″N 123°25′20″W / 47.995724°N 123.422261°W / 47.995724; -123.422261Coordinates: 47°59′45″N 123°25′20″W / 47.995724°N 123.422261°W / 47.995724; -123.422261[1]
Geography
Rocky Peak Location of Rocky Peak in Washington Rocky Peak Rocky Peak (the United States) Show map of Washington (state)Show map of the United StatesShow all
Location	Clallam County, Washington, US
Parent range	Olympic Mountains
Topo map	USGS Mount Angeles
Geology
Age of rock	Eocene
Climbing
Easiest route	Scrambling class 3

Rocky Peak is a 6,218 feet (1,895 m) summit in the Olympic Mountains and is located in Clallam County of Washington state. It is situated eight miles south of Port Angeles, Washington within Olympic National Park. Its nearest higher peak is Mount Angeles, 1.87 mi (3.01 km) to the west.^[1] Klahhane Ridge connects these two peaks. Travelers on the scenic Hurricane Ridge Road traverse the lower south slope of Rocky Peak en route to the Hurricane Ridge visitor center. The mountain was named Rocky Peak by local people from the time of the earliest settlers in the area.^[2] Precipitation runoff from the north side of the peak drains into Rocky Creek, whereas the south slope drains into Morse Creek, thence into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Climate[]

Rocky Peak from southwest

Set in the north-central portion of the Olympic Mountains, Rocky Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Olympic Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall (Orographic lift). As a result, the Olympics experience 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, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.

Geology[]

North aspect, from Port Angeles

The Olympic Mountains are composed of obducted clastic wedge material and oceanic crust, primarily Eocene sandstone, turbidite, and basaltic oceanic crust.^[3] The mountains were sculpted during the Pleistocene era by erosion and glaciers advancing and retreating multiple times.

See also[]

• Olympic Mountains
• Geology of the Pacific Northwest

References[]

External links[]

• Rocky Peak: weather forecast
• "Olympic National Park". National Park Service.