Mount Stone


Mount Stone is a peak in the Olympic Mountains. It is the highest point in Mason County, Washington and exceeds in prominence.
Mount Stone can be reached via the North Hamma Hamma Road. Climbing Mount Stone involves a class 3 rock scramble. This can be done either as a day climb or an overnight trip. On a clear day one can view many of the major peaks of the Olympic Mountains, including The Brothers, Mount Washington, Mount Anderson, Mount Deception, Mount Constance, and Mount Olympus.

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Mount Stone is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean, and travel northeast toward the Olympic Mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Olympic Range, causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall. As a result, the Olympics experience high precipitation, especially during the winter months. During winter months, weather is usually cloudy, but, due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. Because of maritime influence, snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in avalanche danger. Precipitation runoff from the mountain drains into tributaries of the Duckabush, Hamma Hamma, and the Skokomish rivers.