Yellowjacket Tower peak
Yellowjacket Tower rises to 4,500 ft in Pacific-Ranges within the Cascade Range range.
With its towering elevation, Yellowjacket Tower reaches an impressive height of 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). It is one of the notable peaks in the area and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
During the winter season, Yellowjacket Tower experiences a diverse snowpack range. The mountain receives a substantial amount of snowfall, creating favorable conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. The snowpack can vary greatly depending on the year, ranging from a few meters to well over 10 meters in some cases. This makes the mountain a popular destination for backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
Several creeks and rivers benefit from the runoff originating from Yellowjacket Tower. These waterways include the picturesque Nahatlatch River and the nearby tributaries. The mountain's meltwater contributes to the overall flow of these water sources, providing vital freshwater resources for the surrounding ecosystem.
Regarding the history and legends associated with the name Yellowjacket Tower, multiple independent sources corroborate a common story. According to local lore, the peak was named after an incident in the late 19th century when a group of mountaineers encountered a large yellowjacket wasp nest near the summit. The encounter resulted in multiple stings and became a memorable event, leading to the mountaineering community adopting the name Yellowjacket Tower for the peak.
For trail conditions and access, search Wikipedia or the local land manager's site. Browse other peaks in the Pacific-Ranges range.
Snowpack near Yellowjacket Tower
Snow water equivalent and snowpack depth at SNOTEL stations near the peak. Best proxy for what's currently sitting on the summit.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rainy Pass | 33 in | → |
| Rainy Pass | 33 in | → |
| Lyman Lake | 54 in | → |
| Lyman Lake | 54 in | → |
| Nohrsc Cooper Pass | 0 in | → |
| Park Creek Ridge | 1 in | → |
| Upper Wheeler | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Trough | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Grouse Camp | 1 in | → |
| Trough | 1 in | → |
| Nohrsc Pope Ridge | 1 in | → |
| Upper Wheeler | 1 in | → |
Streamflow near Yellowjacket Tower
USGS streamgauges in the basin drained by this peak. Spring snowmelt from the summit feeds these flows.
| Gauge | Streamflow | View |
|---|---|---|
| Entiat River Near Ardenvoir | 879 cfs | → |
| Methow River At Twisp | 3,650 cfs | → |
| Twisp River Near Twisp | 631 cfs | → |
| Yakima River At Umtanum | 1,870 cfs | → |
| Stehekin River At Stehekin | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Salix Creek At S Cascade Gl Near Marblemount | 0 cfs | → |
| Chiwawa River Near Plain | 920 cfs | → |
Plan around incoming weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column -- snow at this elevation typically lags the radar signature by a few hours.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
What's around Yellowjacket Tower
Ski areas, river runs, fishing spots, campgrounds, parks, reservoirs, and boat launches within driving distance of Yellowjacket Tower.
Ski areas
- Sovereign Lake
- Stake Lake
- Cayoosh Resort (Melvin Creek)
- Yodelin
- China Ridge (Snowpatch)
- Mckinney Nordic Ski Club
River runs
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To City Of Leavenworth Water Intake In Se1/4 Of Sec 28, T24n, R17e
- Outlet Of Lake Wenatchee To Wenatchee Nf Boundary
- Rock Island Campground To Ida Creek
- Headwaters At Josephine Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
- Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Private Land Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 3, T23n, R14e
- Headwaters In Nw1/4 Of Sec 12, T24n, R13e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
Get Yellowjacket Tower on your phone.
Save this peak as a favorite and get push alerts when storms move in, fresh snow falls upstream, or NWS issues a weather warning. Free, account optional.
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Set up an alert
Custom alerts are configured in the Snoflo iOS app. Open the app, navigate to this peak, and tap the bell icon to set thresholds for snowfall, temperature, or wind.