2011 Map of McAlester Mountain

About this map

McAlester Mountain dominates this high-altitude landscape in the North Cascades, defined by a complex network of glacial drainage and alpine passes. The map documents a primitive backcountry environment where Fireweed Camp serves as a lone named outpost along Bridge Creek. These waterways, including McAlester Creek and the North Fork Twisp River, flow through deep basins carved by ice, with the Lyall Glacier remaining a prominent feature in the northwest corner. This 2011 survey captures the hydrological relationships between alpine tarns like McAlester Lake, Dagger Lake, and Kettling Lake. The geography is anchored by significant transit points like Twisp Pass and McAlester Pass, which have historically provided the only passage through this vertical terrain. The drainage patterns of Solleks Creek and Rainbow Creek reveal the steep gradients that isolate the massive Rainbow Ridge from surrounding peaks.