Mountain Range

Columbia Plateau summits

Named peaks, snowpack stations, streamflow gauges and watersheds in the Columbia Plateau. Built for climbers, hikers, anglers, paddlers, and anyone curious about how the range is faring this season.

Named summits
14
Highest peak
9,838ft
SNOTEL stations
19
USGS gauges
7
Open the Columbia Plateau on the map Every peak, gauge, and SNOTEL station overlaid on terrain.
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May
19
2026
Range overview
The Columbia Plateau is a vast geological region located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, covering parts of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. It is a region of rolling hills, fertile valleys, and ancient lava flows, with a history stretching back millions of years. Notable peaks in the area include Mount Hood, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier, with the highest peak being Mount Rainier at 14,411 feet. The Columbia River runs through the plateau, providing important hydrological features and recreational opportunities. The Snake River is also a significant river in the region, and it flows through Hells Canyon, the deepest canyon in North America. The Columbia Plateau was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions and has a unique geological history that includes the Missoula Floods, which carved out the landscape over 10,000 years ago. Today, the area is home to agriculture, wineries, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Columbia Plateau at a glance

Range-wide overview

The Columbia Plateau in four data points -- summits, climate stations, and water-flow coverage.

Highest peak

Sacajawea Peak 9,838 ft

Most prominent named summit in the range.

Average elevation

Across 14 summits 8,048 ft

Mean of every named peak Snoflo tracks here.

Climate stations

SNOTEL + USGS gauges 19 + 7

Real-time snowpack and streamflow coverage.

Watersheds drained

HUC sub-basins touched 9

Hydrologic sub-basins the range feeds.

Summit inventory

Columbia Plateau named peaks

Every named summit Snoflo tracks in the Columbia Plateau, sorted by elevation. Elevation is heat-mapped to highlight the alpine zone. Tap any peak for its full report.

14 peaks
Peak Elevation
Sacajawea Peak 9,838 ft
Matterhorn 9,826 ft
Petes Point 9,675 ft
Eagle Cap 9,595 ft
Strawberry Mountain 9,038 ft
China Cap 8,656 ft
Vinegar Hill 8,131 ft
Canyon Mountain 7,999 ft
Meadow Mountain 7,825 ft
Ironside Mountain 7,811 ft
Fields Peak 7,362 ft
Mount Fanny 7,136 ft
Red Mountain 5,890 ft
Table Rock 3,890 ft
Climate signal

Snowpack & streamflow in the Columbia Plateau

Live readings from every SNOTEL station and USGS streamgauge feeding the range's drainages.

SNOTEL snowpack

Station Snowpack SWE Elev
Bourne · · 5,850ft
Eilertson Meadows 1.0 in 0.1 in 5,510ft
Taylor Green · · 5,740ft
Wolf Creek 1.0 in · 5,630ft
Box Canyon · · 6,670ft
East Boulder Mine · · 6,335ft
Monument Peak 27.0 in 12.3 in 8,850ft
Placer Basin 16.0 in 7.3 in 8,830ft
Big Timber · · 4,114ft
Starr Ridge 1.0 in · 5,250ft
Schneider Meadows · · 5,400ft
Halfway · · 2,664ft
Moss Springs 2.0 in 0.2 in 5,760ft
Mt. Howard · · 7,910ft
Joseph · · 4,265ft
Beaver Reservoir · · 5,150ft
Bowman Springs · · 4,530ft
County Line · 0.5 in 4,830ft
Tipton 1.0 in · 5,150ft

USGS streamflow

Gauge Flow Gage Elev
Yellowstone River At Corwin Springs Mt 5440.0 cfs 4.11ft 5,094.0ft
Yellowstone River Near Livingston Mt 6260.0 cfs 3.76ft 4,554.0ft
Boulder River At Big Timber Mt 757.0 cfs 2.64ft 4,069.0ft
John Day R At Blue Mtn Hot Spgs Nr Prairie City,Or 37.5 cfs 1.26ft 4,224.0ft
John Day River Near John Day, Or 104.0 cfs 3.75ft 3,141.0ft
Minam River Near Minam, Or 794.0 cfs 2.58ft 2,564.0ft
M Fk John Day R At Ritter, Oreg. 122.0 cfs 3.13ft 2,564.0ft
Outdoor recreation

What to do in the Columbia Plateau

Climbing, hiking, fishing, paddling, and more -- everything Snoflo tracks for the range.

Mountain activities

1. Hiking: The Columbia Plateau offers numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels, from leisurely strolls to challenging treks. Examples include the Palouse Falls State Park trail, offering stunning views of Palouse Falls, and the Snake River Canyon Rim trail, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

2. Camping: Camping is a popular outdoor activity in the Columbia Plateau, with many designated campgrounds and dispersed camping areas available. Examples include the Lyons Ferry State Park campground, located along the Snake River, and the Potholes State Park campground, which offers opportunities for fishing and boating.

3. Rock Climbing: The Columbia Plateau is known for its basalt cliffs and rock formations, making it a popular destination for rock climbing enthusiasts. Examples include the Vantage climbing area, which offers a variety of routes for climbers of all skill levels, and Frenchman Coulee, known for its challenging crack climbs.

4. Fishing: The Columbia Plateau is home to numerous lakes, rivers, and streams that offer excellent fishing opportunities. Examples include the Snake River, known for its trout and steelhead fishing, and Lake Roosevelt, which is popular for walleye and bass fishing.

5. Wildlife Viewing: The Columbia Plateau is teeming with diverse wildlife, making it a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Examples include the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to a variety of bird species, and the Hanford Reach National Monument, where visitors can spot bald eagles, elk, and other wildlife.

6. Mountain Biking: The Columbia Plateau offers a variety of mountain biking trails, ranging from easy rides to challenging singletrack routes. Examples include the Steptoe Butte State Park trail, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and the Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark, known for its unique geological formations and technical trails.

Overall, the Columbia Plateau mountain range offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities for visitors to enjoy, from hiking and camping to rock climbing and wildlife viewing. With its diverse landscapes and abundant natural beauty, the Columbia Plateau is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
FAQ

About the Columbia Plateau

How many named peaks are in the Columbia Plateau?

Snoflo tracks 14 named summits in the Columbia Plateau. The highest is Sacajawea Peak at 9,838 feet.

Where does the elevation data come from?

Peak elevations are pulled from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Snoflo's named-summit registry. Snowpack readings come from the NRCS SNOTEL network; streamflow from USGS gauges in the range's drainages.

Are these all walk-up summits?

No. The list ranges from drive-up overlooks to technical alpine objectives. Tap any peak for its full report, route notes, and trip-planning data. Always check weather, avalanche, and trip-report sources before heading out.

How often is the data updated?

Peak elevation is static reference data. Snowpack and streamflow readings refresh continuously from the NRCS and USGS public feeds throughout the day.

Can I get alerts for stations in this range?

Yes. Save any SNOTEL station or USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a threshold (snowpack inches, discharge cfs), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

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