CASCADE MOUNTAINS

The Cascade Mountain subregion extends north-south through the entire region separating the Puget Sound and Willamette Valley subregion from the interior subregions. The Cascades are volcanic in origin including the recent eruption of Mount Saint Helens in southern Washington. Earlier volcanic eruptions, alpine glaciation, and water runoff have created a subregion of isolated peaks in Oregon and extensive rugged areas in northern Washington. North of Seattle, the Cascades are known as the North Cascades with a significant area near the Canadian border now recognized as the North Cascade National Park. Other significant national parks or monuments include Mt. Rainier NP, Mount Saint Helens Volcanic National Monument, Lava Beds NM, and Crater Lake NP. U.S. Forest Service land surrounds these parks and monuments including several large wildernesses. The U.S. Forest Service lands have been heavily logged in the past but current ecosystem management guidelines emphasize habitat and diversity. The long corridor of needle-leaf evergreens provides habitat for the region's western animal populations.

Cascade Mountains (photo by Ray Sinclair)

Many tributaries to the region's rivers begin in the Cascades. These waterways have historically provided access into the subregion and across the mountains. Native groups living on the west and east sides of the mountains utilized the forest areas for food and resources. Euro-Americans crossed the mountains on their way to the more agricultural areas of the western valleys. Timber harvesting, mining and grazing attracted later settlers to the subregion. Today, the Cascades are an important source for water, hydroelectric power, and outdoor recreation activities.