Peak Bagging: The 5 Tallest Mountains in Oregon

Set your sights on Oregon's 5 highest peaks.

Alpine Climbing, Hiking Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Severe

Description

The Cascade Range is one of the most formidable mountain ranges in the Western USA. The range forms a part of the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire, "the ring of volcanoes and associated mountains around the Pacific Ocean,” according to Wikipedia. This volcanic activity, including the only eruptions in the continental USA in recent history, has formed some of the tallest and most geographically-prominent mountains in North America.

All of the tallest mountains in the state of Oregon are volcanic peaks formed by this ring of fire. As the tallest mountain in the state and one of the most iconic mountain peaks in North America, Mount Hood needs no introduction. With 7,707 feet of prominence and reaching a height of 11,250 feet above sea level, this soaring peak is the subject of countless photographs, paintings, and other works of art. Mount Hood also serves as a mandatory climbing objective for every mountaineer in the USA. Unfortunately, that popularity, coupled with the technical challenge and unpredictable weather, make Mount Hood one of the deadliest peaks in the nation.

Up next is 10,495-foot Mount Jefferson with over 5,777 feet of prominence. If you’re looking for a technical mountaineering challenge with Class 4 or Class 5 rock climbing and glacier travel, but you want to avoid the hordes that descend on Hood, consider Jefferson instead.

The Three Sisters round out this top 5 list: 10,358-foot South Sister, 10,085-foot North Sister, and 10,046-foot Middle Sister. These three volcanic peaks located conveniently close to Bend, Oregon, are extremely popular climbing objectives, with South Sister receiving the bulk of the traffic.

What are you waiting for? Dive into these route descriptions and start planning your next mountaineering trip to Oregon now!

Sources: Wikipedia