Sumas Mountain is a
mountain
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually higher t ...
located in
Whatcom County,
Washington, 15 miles northeast of
Bellingham and southwest of
Vedder Mountain
The Vedder Mountain is a branch of the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest, located at the southeastern edge of the Fraser Lowland in British Columbia, Canada, between the village of Yarrow, British Columbia, Yarrow and the village of Cultus Lak ...
. Located in the
Skagit Range, the mountain is notable for its high
biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variability of life, life on Earth. It can be measured on various levels. There is for example genetic variability, species diversity, ecosystem diversity and Phylogenetics, phylogenetic diversity. Diversity is not distribut ...
and year-round
hiking trails. It is sometimes referred to as American Sumas to distinguish it from an
identically named mountain across the
Canada–United States border
The international border between Canada and the United States is the longest in the world by total length. The boundary (including boundaries in the Great Lakes, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts) is long. The land border has two sections: Canada' ...
in
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
just to the north, both of which are drained by
tributary
A tributary, or an ''affluent'', is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream (''main stem'' or ''"parent"''), river, or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean. Tributaries, and the main stem river into which they ...
creeks of the
Sumas River.
The mountain is largely owned by the
Washington Department of Natural Resources, but some parcels are privately held. While the public land is open for recreation, it is managed primarily for timber harvest.
Clearcuts are present on many slopes and most all the remaining forest is in varying stages of recovery and regrowth.
Washington State Route 547, which traverses a low pass on the mountain's northern flank, runs northwest from the
Mount Baker Highway, (SR 542) in
Kendall to
SR 9 in
Sumas, which is located on the Canada–United States border and south of
Abbotsford,
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
. The
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad once traversed the same pass.
The controversial
Swift Creek Landslide
The Swift Creek Landslide is an active, slow-moving landslide located in western Washington, USA, due east of Everson on Sumas Mountain. Asbestos-laden sediment originating from the landslide has recently generated much interest in this area. ...
is located on the mountain's western slope.
See also
*
Sumas Mountain (British Columbia)
*
Sumas Peak
*
Sumas (disambiguation)
References
External links
*
*
*
Mountains of Whatcom County, Washington
Mountains of Washington (state)
Skagit Range
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