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The
Cascade Range is really two mountain ranges in one. The familiar
High Cascades are a younger range of soaring, ice-covered volcanoes,
including peaks like Jefferson, Hood, Shasta, St. Helens and
Rainier. But the High Cascades owe their elevation to the the
Old Cascades, the ancient, deeply eroded foothills that form
the foundation of the high peaks.
Most
of the Old Cascade peaks are 4,000-5,000 feet in elevation, just
reaching timberline, compared to the 10,000-14,000 foot summits
of the High Cascades, which rise high above the trees. From the
upper slopes of Park Ridge, the maze of Old Cascade peaks to
the west can be seen, including the rugged Bull of the Woods
backcountry, which is the blue ridge of peaks on the horizon
in this view.
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