Porcupine Ridge

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. 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.

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. 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.

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.

Gallery

See also

• List of mountains and mountain ranges of Glacier National Park (U.S.)
• Geology of the Rocky Mountains

References

External links

• Weather forecast: Porcupine Ridge
• National Park Service web site: Glacier National Park
• Porcupine Ridge fire lookout (photo): Flickr

1. Porcupine Mountains
2. Porcupine, South Dakota
3. Porcupine Seabight
4. Lake Janet
5. Citadel Peaks
6. Porcupine Butte
7. Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
8. Carcajou Lake
9. Kootenai Peak
10. Shaheeya Peak
11. Campbell Mountain
12. Porcupine River
13. Glenlyon, Victoria
14. Red Cloud Indian School
15. Guildford, Victoria
16. Olson Mountain
17. List of mountains of the United States
18. List of localities in Victoria
19. Dog Soldiers
20. Oglala