| Mount Rahm | |
| Elevation: | 8480feet |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence: | 280feet |
| Location: | Whatcom County, Washington, U.S. |
| Range: | Cascade Range |
| Map: | Washington#USA |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Coordinates: | 48.9975°N -121.2308°W |
| Topo: | USGS Mount Spickard |
Mount Rahm (8480feet) is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.[2] Located in the northern section of the park, Mount Rahm is less than 0.25miles south of the Canada–United States border, just north of Silver Lake, and 2miles north-northeast of Mount Spickard. The peak is estimated to be between 8485feetand8525feetft (andft) above sea level, and it sits at the northeastern end of Custer Ridge. Mount Rahm was named after Dr. David Allan Rahm (1931–1976), author and professor, who published and lectured about the geology of the surrounding area.[3]
Mount Rahm is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America.[4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the 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. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall.[4] Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger.[4] Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0°F or above 80°F.[4] 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.[4] The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak.
The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, 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. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.
The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch.[5] With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.[5] In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.[5]
During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris.[5] 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.
Mount Rahm has its own surrounding extinct caldera, called the Mount Rahm Caldera. Mount Rahm may have been a subsidiary stratovolcano of this caldera.
. Fred Beckey . Cascade Alpine Guide, Vol. 3, Rainy Pass to Fraser River . 3rd . 2008 . . 978-1-59485-136-0 . 55ff.