The cascade mountains, which will be discussed in our article, are part of the fire belt located in the Pacific Ocean. Centuries ago, the Cascade range, resembling the Swiss Alps in outward shape, spewed burning lava. Volcanoes are inactive today, but sometimes they still bring unpleasant surprises.
North American Natural Landmark
The mountain range, the slopes of which cut through several rivers forming waterfalls, is part of the Cordillera system. Its length is a thousand kilometers. Where are the Cascade Mountains? They are located on the North American continent. Cascades composed of volcanic rocks begin in Northern California and end far beyond the United States - in the Canadian province of British Columbia. They cross two states - Oregon and Washington.
The many-kilometer crests of the Cascade range are formed by cones of extinct volcanoes. Along the mountain range, covered with coniferous forests, there are dozens of national parks and conservation areas where millions of people spend their time.
Mountains and waterfalls
The local attraction got its name because of waterfalls (cascades), which are formed by rivers, making their way through the mountains. Along it runs the Cascades lakes scenic byway, and tourists passing through it can enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
The tops of the Cascade Mountains in the USA are the extinct volcanoes Hood, Tacoma, Adame, Jefferson. In addition, there are active fire-breathing giants - Rainier and Shasta, looking from afar rather frightening. There are 13 active volcanoes located on the ridge.
Washington State Business Card
The highest mountain is Rainier (4392 meters). The dormant volcano, which the Indians nicknamed "Tahoma", is crowned with numerous glaciers and eternal snow. In the event of an eruption, water carrying huge chunks of rock will sweep away all life on its way. The highest point of the mountain range is the main attraction of Mount Rainier National Park (Washington).
The peak of Rainier collapsed after the eruption and from a distance seems cut off, but in fact it is not flat: it has three craters and three peaks. The volcano dominating the district is dangerous, but while he sleeps, tourists can safely walk along its slopes, admiring the unique beauty.
National park
Mount Rainier, founded in 1899, receives about one million visitors a year. The tour, which is held in the summer, takes into the world of centuries-old giant trees, flowering alpine meadows, powerful glaciers and murmuring ice streams. A wonderful wild corner, located on the territory of the Cascade Mountains in North America, is a popular vacation spot for Americans and visitors.
I must say that in winter visitors are attracted by excellent opportunities for outdoor activities, more than enough. On the mountain slopes you can go skiing, as well as go on an exciting hike with snowshoes so you can not fall into the snow.
Natural disaster
In 1980, the active stratovolcano St. Helens woke up in the state of Washington, which threw out more than 500 million tons of ash and claimed the lives of 57 people. Scientists who observed the geological formation underestimated the scale of a possible catastrophe, experienced specialists could not predict the behavior of the giant, terrifying. Now the volcano is sleeping, and it remains only to hope that it is completely extinct, and not build up strength, in order to demonstrate its power in the future.
You can’t relax
According to the US Geological Survey, the Cascade Mountains are less active than other areas of the Pacific Ring of Fire, but they have not yet completed their formation. This fact is evidenced by the eruption of St. Helens in the last century. And the inhabitants of America should not relax: if we analyze the activity of volcanoes, then we can say that the rest period will not continue indefinitely.
Cascading lakes
Crystal clear lakes lurked in the forest, formed after the eruption of formidable volcanoes more than 15 thousand years ago. For several centuries, the earth was boiling, and after a giant glacier came out to extinguish the fire, deep depressions formed, filled with water.
Cascading lakes located along the ridge are a true miraculous masterpiece, which makes one admire the mastery of nature. They are really beautiful, and it seems to travelers that they are in a real fairy tale. It is even surprising that such virgin corners still remained on our planet.
Famous hiking trail
Through the Cascade Mountains, 8 tunnels and 7 passes were laid. Most of the mountain range is accessible only to backpackers. The river valleys are pierced by 4 motorways, and one road leads to Mount Rainier National Park.
The Pacific Crest Trail, the famous tourist route along the west coast of America, runs through the mountain range. A walking trail runs from the border with Mexico to the border with Canada. Inspiring for travel, it stretches over more than 4 thousand kilometers. And every year, hundreds of daredevils from various countries make attempts to pass it, spending from three to six months.
On the route is prohibited any movement on all modes of transport, even cycling. The best time to travel is summer and early fall, as the trail closes in winter.
Serious problem
Unfortunately, global warming is gradually destroying the existing ecosystem of the Cascade Mountains, which have lost almost a quarter of snow cover over 50 years. With the beginning of spring, snow melts earlier than usual, and the trees take root very firmly. On the mountain slopes, in place of the green meadows of Mount Rainier Nature Reserve, dense forests appear. Overgrown trees threaten vegetation that dies in the shade. And it may happen that meadow grasses in this area disappear forever.
Tourists reviews
Travelers are sure to take photos of the Cascade Mountains, which are fascinating. Despite the fact that more than a thousand years have passed since the moment when everything heated in its path was swept away by red-hot lava, local landscapes still conjure up amazing images of exploding mountain peaks. Deep spruce forests and lakes with a mirror surface, meadows planted with wildflowers and sonorous streams - all this is admirable.
Inveterate fishermen simply adore the protected area, because many rivers begin here. Paradise is famous for its clear water lakes, where trout and salmon live. Fishing in the reserve is allowed year-round, and any visitor can buy a fishing license.