Washington’s 39 county high points range from the sublime to the ridiculous.
We have a wonderful state up here with all sorts of fascinating topography,
so there’s something for everyone. The WA cohps could be classified
in
groups. For additional information see the trip reports and maps
at
www.cohp.org.
The Volcanoes
Mount Rainier, the most dominant mountain in the lower 48, draws the
state
highpointers here. Our other four volcanoes, Baker, Glacier,
Adams, and
Saint Helens top out Washington’s next four highest counties, or used
to,
before Saint Helens blew on May 8, 1980 and relinquished her crown
to a
kiss-your-sister liner on the shoulder of Adams.
The Real Mountains
Bonanza Peak 9511’ is the highest non-volcanic peak in the state and
has the
reputation of topping one of the hardest counties in the contiguous
US to
climb. Mountaineering skills including rock and/or glacier experience
are
also required on Buckner, North Gardner, “Big Horn” (Lewis cohp), Olympus,
Daniel, Gray Wolf, and Stone.
Eastern Washington and Columbia River Mountains
This group includes a number of gentle, but pleasant woodsy rollers
north of
the Columbia River: Gypsy Peak, Abercrombie, and Copper Butte, and
four
along the Oregon border in the Blue Mountains above the Snake River:
Oregon
Butte, Diamond, Ray Ridge, and Lewis. Along the Idaho border
are Mount
Spokane, a paved drive-up, and Tekoa, a rough drive-up. Other
cohps rising
above the Columbia include Lilienthal, Badger, Rattlesnake Hills, and
Indian
Rock.
The Logging Counties
Southwest Washington has been mauled by clearcuts, including the flanks
of
Grays Harbor cohp (a liner), Pacific cohp, Huckleberry, Goat, and Quiemuth.
The Island Counties
Mount Constitution is a very special place that has been called the
“finest
marine view in America.” Camano Island is known for its 5 closed
contour
silliness, private property, and nettles. Gold Mountain is the
cohp of
Kitsap, almost an island.
The Wheat Counties
Rolling wheatfields top the highest land in Adams and Franklin Counties,
and
Grant County is a sage hill.
Unique County
“Sturgeon Fin” is a cute little basalt cockscomb on the Clark County
line,
approached via a trail through a glorious wildflower meadow (the result
of a
1902 forest fire), and would be my recommendation for a group climb
at the
convention.