Mount Wow, Mountain summit in Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, United States
Mount Wow is a 6,040+ ft (1,840+ m) summit in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, in the Cascade Range. It rises 8.6 mi (13.8 km) southwest of Mount Rainier's summit, with Iron Mountain 3.6 mi (5.8 km) to the east-northeast as its nearest higher neighbour. Tahoma Creek drains its east side and Goat Creek its west side, both tributaries of the Nisqually River.
The summit received its official name in 1913 from the United States Board on Geographic Names, based on a Yakama word referring to mountain goats. The name reflects the historical presence of these animals on the slopes.
The name "Wow" is a corruption of a Yakama word for "goat", recalling the mountain goats early tourists saw on its slopes. The name was officially adopted in 1913 by the United States Board on Geographic Names.
Mount Wow lies in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, 8.6 mi (13.8 km) southwest of Mount Rainier's summit; Iron Mountain rises 3.6 mi (5.8 km) to the east-northeast. July through September brings the clearest skies, while winter snow is wet and heavy, raising avalanche danger. Runoff drains east into Tahoma Creek and west into Goat Creek.
The mountain plays an important role in the park's water systems by directing precipitation into two separate streams. Water flows eastward into Tahoma Creek and westward into Goat Creek.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,663 contributors worldwide.