Porcupine Ridge

Mountain ridge in Montana, US
Porcupine Ridge is located in Montana
Porcupine Ridge
Porcupine Ridge
Location in Montana
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Porcupine Ridge is located in the United States
Porcupine Ridge
Porcupine Ridge
Location in the United States
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CountryUnited StatesStateMontanaCountyGlacierProtected areaGlacier National ParkParent rangeLivingston Range
Rocky MountainsTopo mapUSGS Porcupine RidgeGeologyAge of rockPrecambrianType of rockSedimentary rock

Porcupine Ridge is a prominent mountain ridge located in the Goat Haunt area of Glacier National Park, in Glacier County of the U.S. state of Montana.[3] This mountain is part of the Livingston Range, and is situated 1.5 mile east of the Continental Divide. Topographic relief is significant as the summit rises approximately 3,900 feet (1,200 meters) above Lake Frances in one mile, and nearly 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) above Waterton Lake in five miles. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains to the Waterton River via Olson and Valentine Creeks. This geographical feature's name was officially adopted in 1911 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.[3]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Porcupine Ridge is located in an alpine subarctic climate zone characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers.[4] Winter temperatures can drop below −10 °F with wind chill factors below −20 °F. This climate supports the remnant of an unnamed glacier on the northeast aspect below the summit.[5]

Geology

Like the mountains in Glacier National Park, Porcupine Ridge is composed of sedimentary rock laid down during the Precambrian to Jurassic periods. Formed in shallow seas, this sedimentary rock was initially uplifted beginning 170 million years ago when the Lewis Overthrust fault pushed an enormous slab of precambrian rocks 3 mi (4.8 km) thick, 50 miles (80 km) wide and 160 miles (260 km) long over younger rock of the cretaceous period.[6]

  • Porcupine Ridge centered (cloud over the summit), with Citadel Peaks (left).
    Porcupine Ridge centered (cloud over the summit), with Citadel Peaks (left).
  • Porcupine Ridge (left) seen from Goat Haunt Ranger Station
    Porcupine Ridge (left) seen from Goat Haunt Ranger Station
  • Porcupine Ridge left of center, Olson Mountain to right.
    Porcupine Ridge left of center, Olson Mountain to right.
  • South aspect, circa 1913.
    South aspect, circa 1913.
  • Porcupine Ridge to right, aerial view circa 1925.
    Porcupine Ridge to right, aerial view circa 1925.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Porcupine Ridge, Montana". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  2. ^ a b "Porcupine Ridge - 9,128' MT". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  3. ^ a b c "Porcupine Ridge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  4. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification" (PDF). Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11 (5): 1633–1644. Bibcode:2007HESS...11.1633P. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. ISSN 1027-5606. S2CID 9654551.
  5. ^ Scribner's Magazine, Volume 65, 1919, page 397.
  6. ^ Gadd, Ben (2008). Geology of the Rocky Mountains and Columbias.
  • Weather forecast: Porcupine Ridge
  • National Park Service web site: Glacier National Park
  • Porcupine Ridge fire lookout (photo): Flickr
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Places adjacent to Porcupine Ridge
Chapman Peak Shaheeya Peak Olson Mountain
Thunderbird Mountain Citadel Peaks
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