Location and surroundings
Mount Howard belongs to the Nason Ridge subrange of the Glacier Peak-North Stevens Pass Area, within the North Cascades, Cascade Range, Pacific Coast Ranges, and the wider North American Cordillera. It is in the United States, in Washington, and in Chelan County. At 2,153 m, it is the highest of 19 named peaks in Nason Ridge and the high point of that ridge. The mountain sits in a forested, rugged part of the Cascades west of Lake Wenatchee, where ridges drop into valleys that feed the Wenatchee River system.
Neighbouring peaks
Mount Howard is surrounded by several close summits and passes in the same ridge country. The nearest higher peak is North Chiwaukum, 2,174 m, 8.4 km to the southeast. Nearby peaks include:
- Mount Mastiff — 2,055 m, 1.4 km east
- Rock Mountain — 2,086 m, 2.2 km southwest
- Arrowhead Mountain — 1,838 m, 6.4 km south
- Labyrinth Mountain — 1,944 m, 7.9 km northwest
- North Chiwaukum — 2,174 m, 8.4 km southeast
- Jove Peak — 1,806 m, 9.0 km west
- North Chiwaukum — 2,223 m, 9.1 km south
- Jim Hill Mountain — 2,062 m, 9.5 km southwest
These distances show that Mount Howard is a central high point on Nason Ridge rather than an isolated summit, with higher terrain still close by to the south and southeast.
The view from the summit
Within 25 km, the highest peaks around Mount Howard are part of the same North Cascades mountain belt. The main summits to look for are Big Chiwaukum at 2,463 m, 12.6 km south; Snowgrass Mountain at 2,436 m, 14.6 km south; Big Lou Mountain at 2,372 m, 21.1 km south; Big Jim Mountain at 2,366 m, 19.2 km southeast; Ladies Peak at 2,349 m, 16.6 km south; and Bandit Peak at 2,324 m, 20.1 km north. From the summit, the skyline is shaped by ridges and higher Chiwaukum-area peaks rather than by distant lowlands.
The range
Mount Howard is part of Nason Ridge, whose high point is Mount Howard itself. The ridge is described as having 19 named peaks, and Mount Howard ranks first among them by elevation. In the broader Cascade system, it sits in the North Cascades section of the range, where steep relief and glacially carved valleys are common. The mountain’s position on the ridge makes it a reference summit for the local topography, even though higher peaks lie farther south in the wider mountain group.
Climate and weather
Climate estimates from NASA POWER climate data suggest that the summit is warmest in August, at about 8 °C, and coldest in December, at about -7 °C. Mean temperatures are above freezing at the summit in May, June, July, August and September. The surrounding area receives about 1,850 mm of precipitation a year, with the wettest month in November at about 285 mm and the driest in July at about 35 mm. In this part of the Cascades, weather can change quickly, with winter snow, summer thunderstorms and reduced cloud cover in the drier season.
Best time to visit
For a climb or long hike on Mount Howard, the most practical window is usually the period when summit temperatures are above freezing: May through September. Earlier in spring, snow and frozen ground can linger on the ridge, while autumn brings cooler, wetter conditions and shorter days. The drier stretch around July is generally the easiest time for stable weather, although summer thunderstorms can still develop. In the North Cascades, snowfields, wet rock and poor visibility are the main seasonal concerns.
Nature and wildlife
The slopes around Mount Howard lie in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, where lower elevations support conifer forest and higher ground shifts to subalpine trees, heather, rock and open ridge terrain. In the North Cascades, wildlife commonly includes deer, black bear, mountain goat in higher country, and many forest birds. The mountain’s east-of-crest setting is somewhat drier than the western slopes, so vegetation can be more open on exposed ridges. Seasonal snowmelt feeds streams and tributaries below the summit.
Guides and organised ascents
For a peak like Mount Howard, a certified guide is usually not essential for experienced hikers or climbers in stable summer conditions, but it can be useful if snow, route-finding or steep terrain are involved. In the United States, the national mountain guide association is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the American Alpine Club. Examples of established guiding companies working in the mountains of the country include RMI Expeditions in Ashford, Washington, and Exum Mountain Guides in Moose, Wyoming. On guided trips, the cost usually depends on trip length, group size, hut nights and equipment needs.
Safety and preparation
Mount Howard is a mountain for prepared travel: expect steep ground, changing weather, snow outside midsummer, and limited shelter on the ridge. Good footwear, navigation skills and layers are important, and extra caution is needed in wet or snowy conditions. In the North Cascades, visibility can drop quickly and storms may build in the afternoon. For emergencies in the United States, the mountain rescue number is 911; dispatchers alert the local search and rescue team, usually run by the county sheriff or a national park service.
History and name
The mountain may have been named by a survey party, and the name was first published in 1887. It lies in a part of the Cascades shaped by long geological change: terranes helped build the North Cascades about 50 million years ago, and later uplift, faulting and repeated Pleistocene glaciation carved the ridges and valleys seen today. Gneissic rock of the Nason Terrane is exposed on Mount Howard, linking the summit to the older crustal history of the region.
Interesting facts
Mount Howard is the highest of 19 named peaks in Nason Ridge and the ridge’s high point. Its nearest higher peak is North Chiwaukum, 2,174 m, 8.4 km to the southeast. The summit is west of Lake Wenatchee and on land managed by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The mountain’s prominence comes from its position on a ridge system rather than from extreme height, which makes it a useful landmark in the local Cascade landscape.
FAQ
How high is Mount Howard? It rises to 2,153 m.
Where is Mount Howard located? It is in Chelan County, Washington, in the United States, west of Lake Wenatchee.
What range is Mount Howard part of? It belongs to Nason Ridge in the North Cascades of the Cascade Range.
What is Mount Howard the highest point of? It is the highest mountain in Nason Ridge.
What peaks are close to Mount Howard? Nearby summits include Mount Mastiff 1.4 km east, Rock Mountain 2.2 km southwest, and North Chiwaukum 8.4 km southeast.
Is there water on the way to Mount Howard? The ridge itself is likely to be dry, so carry enough water for the day, usually about 1.5 to 3 litres depending on heat and route length. Snowmelt and streams may be present lower down, but they should be treated before drinking.
Is mobile phone coverage reliable on Mount Howard? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. On open ridges it may be better, while in valleys and behind ridges it often fails. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.