Okanagan Range
Encyclopedia
The Okanagan Range or Okanogan Range is a small subrange of the Cascade Range
straddling the border between British Columbia
and Washington south of the Similkameen River
on the inland side of the range. The range is the northeasternmost extremity of the Cascade Range.
According to Fred Beckey
there are differences of opinion about the names and locations of the subranges of the northern Cascades, especially between Canadian and American geographers. Nervertheless early geologists and topographers had a fundamental agreement about the location and names of the subranges. The Okanagan Range was seen as bounded by the Pasayten River
on the west and continuing east to Chopaka Mountain
. The Hozameen Range
was seen as separated from the Okanagan Range by the Pasayten River. This definition of the Okanagan Range included most of today's Pasayten Wilderness
and extending south to joins the main Cascade Range at Harts Pass, near the headwaters of the Methow River
. The core of the Okanagan Range under this definition marks the divide between streams that flow north to the Similkameen River and those that flow south to the Methow River.
BCGNIS
defines the northern boundary of the Okanagan Range as Young Creek and the lower Ashnola River.
Peakbagger.com defines the Okanogan Range as a much larger region bounded to the south by the Methow River and to the east by the Okanagan River and Similkameen River.
The Okanagan Range should not be confused with the Okanagan Highland
, which is located on the farther side of the Okanagan Valley and is sometimes classified as part of the Monashee Mountains
.
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
straddling the border between British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
and Washington south of the Similkameen River
Similkameen River
The Similkameen River runs through southern British Columbia, eventually discharging into the Okanogan River near Oroville, Washington in the United States. The river is approximately long, and its drainage basin is in area...
on the inland side of the range. The range is the northeasternmost extremity of the Cascade Range.
According to Fred Beckey
Fred Beckey
Fred Beckey is an American mountaineer and author, who has made hundreds of first ascents, more than any other North American climber.-Early years:...
there are differences of opinion about the names and locations of the subranges of the northern Cascades, especially between Canadian and American geographers. Nervertheless early geologists and topographers had a fundamental agreement about the location and names of the subranges. The Okanagan Range was seen as bounded by the Pasayten River
Pasayten River
The Pasayten River is a tributary of the Similkameen River, in the Canadian province of British Columbia and the U.S. state of Washington.The Pasayten River is part of the Columbia River drainage basin, being a tributary of the Similkameen River, which flows into the Okanagan River, which flows...
on the west and continuing east to Chopaka Mountain
Chopaka Mountain
Chopaka Mountain, also known as Mount Chopaka, is a summit in the leeward flank of the North Cascades. Its summit area is a Natural Area Preserve comprising , and features a mountain goat population and various rare plants...
. The Hozameen Range
Hozameen Range
The Hozameen Range is a mountain range in southwestern British Columbia and northern Washington, straddling the division between the Coast and Interior regions of that province...
was seen as separated from the Okanagan Range by the Pasayten River. This definition of the Okanagan Range included most of today's Pasayten Wilderness
Pasayten Wilderness
The Pasayten Wilderness is a 2145 km². protected area located within Okanogan National Forest and Mount Baker National Forest in Washington State, centered on the Three Forks of the Pasayten River, a tributary of the Similkameen River. The northern boundary of the wilderness is the Canadian...
and extending south to joins the main Cascade Range at Harts Pass, near the headwaters of the Methow River
Methow River
The Methow River is a tributary of the Columbia River in northern Washington in the United States. The river's watershed is , with a population of about 5,000 people. The Methow's watershed is characterized by relatively pristine habitats, with much of the river basin is located in national forests...
. The core of the Okanagan Range under this definition marks the divide between streams that flow north to the Similkameen River and those that flow south to the Methow River.
BCGNIS
BC Geographical Names Information System
The BC Geographical Names is a geographic name web service and database for British Columbia, Canada, which is run and maintained by the Base Mapping and Geomatic Services Branch of the Integrated Land Management Bureau...
defines the northern boundary of the Okanagan Range as Young Creek and the lower Ashnola River.
Peakbagger.com defines the Okanogan Range as a much larger region bounded to the south by the Methow River and to the east by the Okanagan River and Similkameen River.
The Okanagan Range should not be confused with the Okanagan Highland
Okanagan Highland
The Okanagan Highland is a plateau-like hilly area in British Columbia, Canada, and the U.S. state of Washington . It lies between the Okanagan Valley on its west and the Kettle River on its east, and geologically is more or less an extension of the Thompson Plateau, which lies west of the Okanagan...
, which is located on the farther side of the Okanagan Valley and is sometimes classified as part of the Monashee Mountains
Monashee Mountains
The Monashee Mountains are a mountain range mostly in British Columbia, Canada, extending into the U.S. state of Washington. They stretch from north to south and from east to west. They are a subrange of the Columbia Mountains...
.