Dead trees from the 2017 fire standing in January 2025 on the western slopes of Norse Peak, viewed from Crystal Mountain

Norse Peak is a mountain in the Cascade Range of Washington state at an elevation of 6,856 feet (2,090 m)[1] or 6,858 feet (2,090 m).[2] It lies on the border between Pierce and Yakima counties east of Mount Rainier National Park.[3][4]

From the summit, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Stuart, Glacier Peak, the North Cascades, Mount Baker, and the Olympic Range can be seen on a clear day.[5][6] The Crystal Mountain ski resort is located nearby, and both areas are accessed from the same road leading off of State Route 410.[2] In summer, the resort offers a gondola ride that features views of Norse Peak.[5][2] The summit was the site of a now decommissioned fire lookout. In the summer and early fall, Norse Peak is snow-free and can be accessed via trail 1191, which has been rerouted to prevent erosion. The Pacific Crest Trail passes just to the east of the peak.[7][8] Described as dry and dusty,[5] the hiking trail gains 2,800 feet (850 m) in 10.8 miles (17.4 km), and allows dogs and horses but has no water sources.[8][9][2] The trail continues south near the ridgeline from Norse Peak and connects to the Bullion Basin trail.[9] In the summer, there can be wildflowers as well as wildlife such as elk and mountain goats;[2] in winter, the peak can be accessed via snowshoe or backcountry skiing, but carries a risk of avalanches. People who are ski touring can leave from the Crystal Mountain parking lot, with a roundtrip distance of 7 miles (11 km) to the summit.[1][10] The Norse Peak Wilderness is bounded on the west by the north-south ridgeline that includes Norse Peak.[8] The Norse Peak wildfire ignited in a lightning strike on August 11, 2017, and continued into late September, burning over 52,000 acres (21,000 ha) on the mountain and surrounding areas.[11][12] The mountain is also the namesake of the Mountain Hardwear Norse Peak Hoody, a fleece jacket described by GearLab as "great for hanging out around the fire or chilling at the crag".[13]

References

  1. ^ a b "Norse Peak". The Mountaineers. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e Hill, Craig (September 16, 2015). "Trail of the week: Norse Peak". The Olympian. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  3. ^ "Norse Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. September 10, 1979. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  4. ^ Norse Peak Quadrangle, Washington (Topographic map). 1:24,000. United States Geological Survey. 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Ozbek, Melissa (2017). Moon 75 Great Hikes Seattle. Avalon Publishing. p. 334. ISBN 978-1-63121-499-8.
  6. ^ "Norse Peak 1191". United States Forest Service. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  7. ^ "Norse Peak". Washington Trails Association. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Nelson, Dan (2010). Best Hikes with Dogs Western Washington: 2nd Edition. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. pp. 220–222. ISBN 978-1-59485-406-4.
  9. ^ a b Asars, Tami (2018). "Norse Peak". Day Hiking: Mount Rainier: National Park, Crystal Mountain, Cayuse and Chinook Passes. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. ISBN 978-1-68051-011-9.
  10. ^ Burgdorfer, Rainer (1999). 100 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Routes in Washington. Seattle: Mountaineers Books. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-89886-661-2.
  11. ^ "Norse Peak wildfire prompts massive forest closure". Yakima Herald-Republic. September 7, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  12. ^ Schurk, Marie (August 29, 2017). "Firefighters: Norse Peak fire doubles in size since Sept. 3". KIMA. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  13. ^ "Mountain Hardwear Norse Peak Full-Zip Review". GearLab. Retrieved January 30, 2025.

46°57′24.12″N 121°27′10.52″W / 46.9567000°N 121.4529222°W / 46.9567000; -121.4529222

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_Peak
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