page_title: McKay Ridge
section_title: Geology
hierarchical_section_title: McKay Ridge / Geology
caption_attribution_description: English: McKay Ridge 7020' and Azurite Peak seen from North Cascades Highway using long lens
context_page_description: McKay Ridge is a 7,000+ ft ridge located in Whatcom County in Washington state. It is part of the Okanogan Range which is a sub-range of the North Cascades. It's situated north of the North Cascades Highway on land administered by Okanogan National Forest. The nearest higher peak is Majestic Mountain, 1.6 miles to the northeast. Precipitation runoff from the ridge drains into Ross Lake via tributaries of the Skagit River.
context_section_description: The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks and ridges and deep glacial valleys. Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area.
  The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate, episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted.  In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago.
  During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. The "U"-shaped cross section of the river valleys are a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area.
caption: McKay Ridge (left) and Azurite Peak seen from North Cascades Highway
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