Skiing down on steaming Volcanoes - that's what makes it so spectacular

ever smelled the scent of sulfur or seeing a column of rising steam coming out of the crater while skiing?

Overview | Geographical Regions | Information

***

***

***

Overview

The Cascade Mountains are stretching in north-south direction from southern British Columbia in Canada into the northern part of California. The Northern Cascades are a remote and rugged range, with rocky ridges and hundreds of peaks and glaciers versus the Southern Cascades where most peaks are reaching only an average elevation of 5000 feet, and are mostly wooded up to their tops. But the majestic cones of very high Volcanoes are peaking out above the endless evergreen forest in southern Washington, Oregon and northern California. The Volcanoes reach elevations from 7,000 foot up to over 14,000 feet which makes them one of the tallest mountains in the United States. The Cascade Range is largely a volcanic mountain range in its origin.

Winter storms are approaching the North American Continent from the western pacific, picking up an enormous amount of moisture, and the first barrier on their travels east are the Cascade Mountains, which are only 60 to 100 miles from the coast line. Mount Baker a 10,778 feet tall Volcano in the northern part, claims the world record snowfall up to 28 feet in a single season. This high amount of snow precipitation makes up for a long ski season, and ski touring into the summer month of June and July are common. Because of the high moisture content of the snow and the missing of extreme cold arctic continental airflow, super fluffy powder is rare in the cascade mountains. Locals lovely describe their version of powder snow as Cascade Cement, snow is usually dryer on the eastern side of the range.

The ski touring season starts as early as November when the first snow covers the ground. In peak winter season, with high amounts of snowfall, easy accessible ski touring terrain is hard to find. The best places are found close to resort ski areas, along maintained and plowed highways. Oregonian Backcountryskiers not rarely have to utilize modern machines like snowmobiles for approaching trailheads. The access to trailheads can be long like 10 miles one way and it would be a torture to skin in under your own power. As an example lets compare Mount Adams just north of the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood, just south of the Gorge. Hood is easy accessible on it's southern and eastern slopes due to 2 major ski areas. Between Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood Meadows and Cooper Spur Ski Area are plenty of day trips to discover. Mount Adams has no infrastructure in place and an approach is long and difficult in mid winter. The closest maintained road in the winter I know of is approximately 12 miles from the base of the mountain and in addition an extra 10 miles from there to timberline. Shelters or cabins are not found on Mt. Adams, making trips even more difficult.

« skitouring on Mt. Hood, view to Mt. Adams & Mt. Rainier *** close to the tree line below Cooper Spur »

***

Geographical Regions of the Cascade Mountains

Northern Cascades, Rugged Ranges and Volcanoes (Canadian Border to Mount Rainier)

Mt. Baker, Picket Range, Glacier Peak, Goode Mountain and Mt. Rainier

Central Cascades, Volcanoes (Mount Rainier to Newberry Crater)

Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Three Sisters and Mt. Bachelor

Southern Cascades, Volcanoes (Mount Thielsen to Lassen Peak)

Mt. Thielsen, Crater Lake, Mt. McLaughlin, Mt. Shasta and Lassen Peak

***

Information for Backcountry Skiers

Mount Baker is one of the snowiest places on earth. Nearby Mt. Shuksan and the glaciers of Mt. Baker are a paradise for Backcountry skiers. The Mount Baker highway makes the area relatively easy to access in the winter month.

Mount Rainier the classic center of Mountaineering in the western United States. With 14,410 feet in elevation, it ranks #5 in the lower 48 states. Mount Rainier is protected by the Mt. Rainier National Park.

Mount Saint Helens a Volcano located just north-east of Oregon's largest city Portland, erupted with a gigantic explosion on May 18, 1980. Saint Helens, still an active volcano, is a jewel for Backcountry skiers, and just recently the southern slopes of the mountain reopened for hiking, climbing and skiing. More information about the climbing permit system is found on the WebPages of the Mount St. Helens Institute. The site provides historical and scientifically information as well. Mount Saint Helens is a Volcanic National Monument.

Mount Adams, standing 12,276 feet above sea level, is Mount St. Helens next neighbor to the east. The south-west chutes are a legendary late spring/summer ski descent with a continuous over 4000 feet vertical and 35° slope pitch from Pikers Peak. Phato is the native Indian name for the mountain, the entire east flanks are situated in the Yakima Indian Reservation. The Mt. Adams Wilderness protects the Mountain and it's beautiful nature.

Mount Hood to the south of the Columbia River Gorge, which cuts through the Cascade Mountains almost on sea level (75 ft) is the most developed mountain for recreational purposes. On it's southern slopes, below the crater the legendary Timberline Lodge was build in 1936-37. 5 ski areas are located in that area as well, and Highway 35 allows access to the mountain year round. Most of Mount Hood especially the north side is protected by the Mt. Hood Wilderness.

In southern Oregon, Crater Lake is the remaining caldera of an ancient volcano. The crater is filled with the deep blue waters and being the deepest lake in the United States. Crater Lake is the only National Park in Oregon.

Crossing the state line into northern California, Mount Shasta reaches an elevation above 14,000 feet. The ski touring season last into late spring and summer. Turns in August are not on the rare side. Mt. Shasta is protected by the Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area.

Lassen Peak is the most southern Cascade Volcano. The last eruptions of this volcano are recorded between 1914 and 1917. Lassen Peak is a National Volcanic Park.

« a nice shelter, snowed in, makes a good base camp for the backcountry skier in the Oregon Cascades. *** Mid winter ski-touring below the North Face of Mt. Hood »

Have you ever spend a night on a Fire Tower Lookout. Fire towers and cabins are administrated by the National Forest Service.