One of the most striking features of my native Pacific Northwest is the young, rugged, and very volcanically active Cascade Mountain Range. Ranging from southern British Columbia to northern California, the range bisects Washington and Oregon. The more famous peaks (all of them volcanic) are probably Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Hood, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Shasta. These and the other dozen or so volcanic peaks that form the range provide a wealth of four-season beauty and recreation opportunity to residents and visitors.
Winter's World Of White While the well-trod hiking trails and well-used campgrounds of summer are buried beneath a blanket of snow, the Cascades still have a lot to offer in the winter. Downhill and cross-country skiing are offered at dozens of recreational areas, and snowmobile enthusiasts will find scores of Sno-Parks throughout the Cascades. Snowshoeing is experiencing a renaissance as well, as baby boomers discover the delights of this quiet, intimate means of exploring the mountains. Pack plenty of warm, dry clothing along with the usual 10 Essentials you'd pack for hiking if you plan to take part in this sport, and remember the days are short and weather fronts move in quickly.
Sweet, Soggy Spring There's nothing quite like the smell of the mountains in springtime. There is a richness to the soil as it warms beneath the final crust of snow. Tenacious shoots poke up through the ice, unable to wait for the touch of sun on their leaves and petals. Foolhardy hikers head for the hills, only to be stopped in their tracks by snow and ice blocking their route. The trails open, but are mucky and debris-filled. It's not a time to stay away from the mountains, but it is a time for caution, a time to keep your expectations in check. Plan to help clear your favorite trail, pausing to move fallen branches aside. Plan to take your time, too, and plan to get very, very muddy. But don't stay away -- spring is the time for the most magnificent waterfalls, when the greatest volume of snowmelt is gushing its way down the mountainside.
The Sumptuous Summer No one needs to be told that summer in the Cascade Mountains is sublime. Hikers from all over the world come to the North Cascades to trek our amazing trails, to view the wildflower meadows, to gaze at the glaciers. Car camping, backpacking, and daytripping possibilities abound. Whether you're taking a toddler on her first 1/4-mile trek to see old-growth timber, or you're hoisting your pack to take on the Wonderland or Pacific Crest trail, you can't help but love the Cascade Mountains in the summer. Steer clear of Mt. Rainier's Paradise Visitor Center and Mt. Hood's Timberline Lodge on crowded July and August weekends, but don't let that keep you home. There are plenty of stunning, lightly traveled trails on these mountains as well as on other Cascade peaks such as Glacier Peak, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Adams, and the Three Sisters, to name but a few other gems in the chain.
The Fullness Of Fall For me, the year's splendor culminates in autumn. The crowds thin, the nights are chilly, but the days are often glorious -- sunny with sparkling blue skies and comfortable temperatures. Waterfalls are less dramatic, but the trails are cleared, dry, and quiet. Wildflowers remain plentiful, especially in the higher elevations. Snow may begin dusting the mountaintops as early as September, but many trails remain open well into October and even beyond. Wildlife can often be spotted this time of year -- deer, marmots, chipmunks, black bear -- as they prepare for the winter months ahead. It is a time of intense beauty in the Cascade Mountain Range. But then again, these mountains are amazing any time of year.
Sally O'Neal is a travel writer who writes about her hiking, bicycling, and other adventures worldwide, but always returns to her native Pacific Northwest and the Cascade Mountain Range. Her books include "Hot Showers, Soft Beds, and Dayhikes in the Central Cascades."