Washington State is home to some impressive mountains, with the Cascade Range running through its western part and the rugged terrain of the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula. Here are some of the highest mountains in Washington State:
1. Mount Rainier
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The tallest peak in the state is Mount Rainier, which is also the highest mountain in the Cascade Range and one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Mount Rainier has an elevation of 14,410 feet (4,392 meters) and is located about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Tacoma, within Mount Rainier National Park. The mountain has not erupted since the 19th century, but it is still considered active and poses a threat to millions of people living nearby. Mount Rainier is covered by 26 major glaciers and has a rich biodiversity of plants and animals.
2. Mount Adams
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The second highest peak in Washington is Mount Adams, another active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range. Mount Adams has an elevation of 12,281 feet (3,743 meters) and is located about 50 miles (80 km) north of Mount Rainier, partly within the Yakama Indian Reservation. The mountain has a large volcanic crater and 12 glaciers on its slopes. Mount Adams is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and skiers.
3. Mount Baker
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The third highest peak in Washington is Mount Baker, also known as Kulshan, which is the northernmost volcano in the Cascade Range. Mount Baker has an elevation of 10,781 feet (3,286 meters) and is located about 30 miles (48 km) east of Bellingham, near the Canadian border. The mountain is one of the snowiest places on Earth, receiving an average of 645 inches (1,638 cm) of snow per year. Mount Baker has 10 glaciers and a large ice cap on its summit. The mountain is also thermally active, with fumaroles and hot springs in its vicinity.
4. Glacier Peak
The fourth highest peak in Washington is Glacier Peak, also known as DaKobed, which is a remote and isolated volcano in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Glacier Peak has an elevation of 10,541 feet (3,213 meters) and is located about 70 miles (113 km) northeast of Seattle. The mountain has a history of explosive eruptions that have produced large amounts of ash and pyroclastic flows. Glacier Peak has five major glaciers and several smaller ones on its flanks.
5. Bonanza Peak
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The fifth highest peak in Washington is Bonanza Peak, which is the highest non-volcanic peak in the state. Bonanza Peak has an elevation of 9,511 feet (2,899 meters) and is located about 14 miles (23 km) west of Glacier Peak, in the North Cascades. The peak is composed of granite and metamorphic rocks that are part of an ancient continental crust. Bonanza Peak has three massive glaciers on its north, east, and south sides.
6. Mount Stuart
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Mount Stuart is one of the highest mountains in Washington state, with an elevation of 9,420 feet (2,871 meters). It is the second highest non-volcanic peak in the state, after Bonanza Peak, and the sixth most prominent, with a prominence of 5,354 feet (1,632 meters). Mount Stuart is located in the Stuart Range of the Cascade Mountains, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The mountain is composed of granite and has a rugged appearance due to extensive jointing. The north side of the mountain has three glaciers: Stuart, Ice Cliff and Sherpa. The first ascent of Mount Stuart was either in 1873 by Angus McPherson or in 1883 by Frank Tweedy and Richard Goode. The easiest route to the summit is the Cascadian Couloir, a major scramble up the southeast flank of the mountain.
7. Mount Shuksan
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Mount Shuksan is one of the highest mountains in Washington State, with an elevation of 9,131 feet (2,783 meters). It is located in the North Cascades National Park, east of Mount Baker and south of the Canada-US border. The name Shuksan comes from the Lummi word for "high peak". The mountain has a distinctive three-sided summit pyramid that is covered by glaciers and snowfields. Mount Shuksan is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and skiers who enjoy its scenic beauty and challenging terrain.
8. Mount Olympus
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Mount Olympus is the highest and most prominent mountain in the Olympic Mountains, a range of peaks in western Washington state, US. The mountain, which is part of the Olympic National Park, rises to an elevation of 7,980 feet (2,430 m) above sea level. Mount Olympus has several glaciers, including the Hoh Glacier, which is the longest in the range. The mountain was named by British explorer John Meares in 1788, and was first climbed by US Army officer Joseph P. O'Neil in 1890. Mount Olympus is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers, who can enjoy the scenic views and diverse wildlife of the area.
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