Located 31 miles east of the largest city in the upper northwest, Bellingham, Mount Baker is an active stratovolano. The amount of snow that falls on Mount Baker is second only to Mount Rainier. The mountain is 10,781 feet, the third largest in Washington state.

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The Cascade Mountain Range stretches from British Columbia, through Washington and Oregon, as well as northern California. The western slope of the Cascades receives the majority of rainfall, while the eastern side is characterized by an arid and dry climate.

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One of three dams on the Skagit River, Diablo Dam was constructed in 1930. Today, it serves a large majority of Seattle with electricity.

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The lake formed behind Diablo Dam is Diablo Lake. The turquoise green color is a result of the fine glaciated rock carried into streams and eventually dumped into the man-made reservoir.

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Glacier Peak is among the five active volcanoes in Washington. It's the most difficult to see and get to because of its geographic location in the heart of the Cascade Range. Besides Mount St. Helens, Glacier Peak is the only active volcano to have a major eruption in the past 15,000 years.

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The popular tourist area, Lake Chelan is the deepest natural lake in Washington state at over 1,400 hundred feet. At nearly 55 miles long, the lake is teeming with water enthusiasts in the summer. Though the actual town's population is close to 4,000, in the summer months, up to 25,000 live in and around the area.

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Pioneers in the late 1800s settled near Lake Wenatchee, relying on the logging industry for income. Today, Lake Wentachee serves as a popular state park for camping, fishing, and water recreation.

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Leavenworth is a city nestled in the foothills of the Cascades. It's modeled after Bavarian villages found in Germany, a decision made by the city in the 1960s. The popular area was once home to the Wenatchi and Yakima tribes who used the area to hunt game and catch salmon from the adjacent Icicle Creek.

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Crossing the northernmost pass in the Cascades, travelers will pass through Winthrop. The town is a popular cross-country skiing destination. Settled in the late 1800s, Withrop has the oldest saloon in the state.

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Highway 2, Stevens Pass, takes you over the Casades. Open all year around, unlike the North Cascades which closes each winter, Stevens Pass is a frequent stops for skiers.

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Mount Rainier is 14,410 feet, the highest spot in the state. It hosts the most glaciers of any mountain in Washington at 25.

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Mount Rainier National Park was created in 1899. The Paradise Jackson Visitor Center is a great place to start your exploration. It offers general information, exhibits, and a guided ranger tour. Plus, it's a good spot for hiking the surrouding area. Don't forget the mosquito repellent in the summer months!

Not only popular in summer, Paradise is an equally exciting place in winter for snow shoe exploring and tubing!

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Snoqualmie Pass is the largest pass that's open all year. Over 27,000 vehicles a day use the I-90 gateway linking the western half of the state to the eastern half. It is also a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders.

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Mount St. Helens' most recent major eruption occurred on May 18, 1980. Within 3 minutes the lateral blast took out over two hundred miles of forest.

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Comet Falls, located in Mount Rainier National Park, is the second largest falls in Washington plunging 462 feet.

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Mount Adams, at 12,276 feet, offers many recreational activities. Popular activities include the scenic drives, mountain climbing, hiking, along with fishing and rafting the popular Klickitat River, which drains from Mt. Adams' glaciers.

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One of Washington's major tourist attraction, Snoqualmie Falls dives nearly 270 feet. Visitors have multiple places to stop and take photos of the Snoqualmie River as it plunges.

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