Top Mountains in Washington State

Washington's mountains are among the most dramatic in the continental United States — a chain of massive Cascade volcanoes, an entire Olympics range facing the Pacific, and the remote North Cascades presenting some of the most challenging alpine terrain in the lower 48.

Mount Rainier (14,411 ft)
The highest peak in Washington and the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States — it rises 13,211 feet above the surrounding terrain, a greater local relief than any other US peak outside Alaska. Rainier holds more glacial ice than any other mountain in the lower 48 (about 1 cubic mile). It's a dormant stratovolcano — when it erupts again, lahars (volcanic mudflows) will threaten communities across the Puyallup and White River valleys. The summit requires technical mountaineering skill; 10,000+ people attempt it annually with about half succeeding.

Mount Baker (10,781 ft)
A massive stratovolcano north of Bellingham near the Canadian border. Baker holds the world record for snowfall in a single season — 1,140 inches (95 feet) in the winter of 1998–99 at the Mt. Baker Ski Area (4,318 ft elevation). The summit is accessible via the Coleman-Deming Glacier route, requiring crampons, ice axe, and crevasse rescue knowledge.

Glacier Peak (10,541 ft)
The most remote of Washington's Cascade volcanoes, accessible only by multi-day approach trails through the Glacier Peak Wilderness. No roads reach within 8 miles of the base. The approach via the White Chuck or Suiattle River valleys is exceptional wilderness travel.

Mount Adams (12,281 ft)
Washington's second-highest peak and the most straightforward Cascade volcano to summit (the south slope is a non-technical snow climb). The surrounding Mount Adams Wilderness is spectacular; the Yakama Nation holds traditional rights to significant portions of the mountain.

Mount St. Helens (8,363 ft)
The site of the catastrophic May 18, 1980 eruption that blew off 1,300 feet of summit and killed 57 people. The reconstruction of the crater and growing lava dome is visible from the Johnston Ridge Observatory.