Oregon has much to offer hikers and campers, from beaches to mountain tops and desert plains to lush forests. If you’re looking for a rugged yet ethereal wilderness, you’d be hard pressed to improve upon the Pacific Northwest. Home to Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson, among other peaks, Oregon is one of the top destinations in the country when it comes to natural beauty.
Mount Hood is a stratovolcano and part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc found in northern Oregon. Found 50 miles east-southeast of the city of Portland, this mountain is the highest in the state, topping out at 11,249 feet. There are 12 named glaciers and snowfields on Mount Hood, but don’t let all that ice fool you. This dormant volcano is considered the most likely to erupt, with a 3-7 percent chance of an eruption occurring within the next 30 years.
Mount Jefferson is another Cascade Volcanic Arc stratovolcano, and is the second highest peak in Oregon with a summit at 10,497 feet. Located 105 miles east of the city of Corvallis, this mountain is part of the federally protected Mount Jefferson Wilderness. Due to the rugged nature of the surrounding landscape, this mountain is one of the hardest to reach in the Cascades.
Take a look at this mesmerizing timelapse video that captures the beauty of these two landmarks along with many other sites in the Beaver State. Filmed over the course of a 1,600-mile road trip, photographer Ben Canales captures the night sky in a unique and hypnotic way.
Featured Image from Emma Smith/Unsplash
