Barrier Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrier Peak |
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Barrier Peak seen from Sourdough Ridge
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,521 ft (1,988 m) |
| Prominence | 281 ft (86 m) |
| Geography | |
 Barrier Peak
Location in Washington (state)
Barrier Peak
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, U.S. |
| Parent range | Cascades |
| Topo map | USGS Chinook Pass |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Scrambling class 3 |
Barrier Peak is a small 6,521 ft (1,988 m) summit located in Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County of Washington state. It is part of the Cascade Range and is situated west of Cayuse Pass, 0.53 mile west-northwest of Buell Peak, and 0.4 mile south-southwest of Governors Ridge, which is its nearest higher peak. The normal climbing access is from the Owyhigh Lakes Trail. The peak was so named because it served as a barrier between the Cayuse Pass region and the rest of Mount Rainier National Park.
Climate
Barrier 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 Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach, 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. 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. Precipitation runoff from Barrier Peak drains into tributaries of the White River and Cowlitz River.
Images for kids
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Barrier Peak (centered) seen from Owyhigh Lakes with Governors Needle (left)
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Governors Ridge, Barrier Peak, and Tamanos Mountain seen from the Sunrise area
