Cascade mountains are spread across Northwest US and Canada. Cascade mountains is encompassed within North Cascades National Park, Mount Rainer National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, many national forests, multiple national monuments and wilderness areas offers miles of hiking trails, skiing and mountaineering. They are part of Ring of Fire. All of the eruptions in the contiguous United States over the last 200 years have been from Cascade volcanoes.
The proximity of the range to the Pacific Ocean exposes it to prevailing westerly winds, leading to substantial rain and snowfall, resulting in a perennial white landscape with snow and ice across most of the High Cascades.
The highest peak Mt. Rainier is a stratovolcano. Mount Rainier has a topographic prominence of 13,210 ft (4,026 m), which is greater than that of K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain, at 13,189 ft (4,020 m). Another unique feature, Lassen Peak which is considered the southern tip of the range is the world’s largest lava dome.
Indigenous peoples have inhabited the area for thousands of years and regard this area as an integral part of their ancestral homelands.
Range details
Location on Map:
Countries: US & Canada
Length: 1,100 km (700 mi)
Area: 151,472 km2 (58,484 sq mi)
Compare key features with other mountain ranges here.
Elevation
The highest point is Mt Rainier at 4,392 m (14,411 ft). Below chart displays the relative elevation of Cascades and Sierra Nevada mountains in US. Both the ranges are close geographically and also in their elevations.
One can visualize elevation differences with other ranges with this tool.
Highest peaks in Cascades
| Name | Elevation m (ft) | Prominence m (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Rainier | 4,392 (14,411) | 4,037 (13,246) |
| Mount Shasta | 4,316 (14,162) | 2,975 (9,762) |
| Mount Adams | 3,741 (12,276) | 2,473 (8,116) |
| Mount Hood | 3,425 (11,239) | 2,348 (7,706) |
| Little Tahoma | 3,395 (11,138) | 249 (818) |
| Mount Baker | 3,288 (10,786) | 2,686 (8,812) |
Cities
Seattle, Washington: A major gateway to the Cascades, offering access to various trailheads and outdoor activities.
Portland, Oregon: Located near the southern portion of the Cascade Range, providing easy access to hiking trails.
Bend, Oregon: Positioned in the central part of the state, serving as a base for exploring the nearby Cascade peaks.
Leavenworth, Washington: Nestled in the eastern foothills, known for its Bavarian-inspired charm and access to nearby trails.
Salem, Oregon: Situated in the Willamette Valley, offering a central location for exploring both the Coast Range and the Cascades.