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This silent, snowcapped sentinel, the centerpiece of Mount Rainier National Park, is an awe-inspiring active volcano rising 14,410-ft (4,392-m) above sea level. Since the cataclysmic explosion of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the Grand Dame of the Cascades commands new respect for its potentially devastating force.

Seattle’s closest Cascade Mountain, the rocky outcropping of Mount Si is just past Issaquah. The hike is steep but not too difficult, and the views of the Snoqualmie Valley watershed and I-90 are rewarding.

This series of foothills west of the Cascades are remnants of mountains that predate the higher and more visited peaks to the east. Cougar, Squak, Tiger, and Rattlesnake Mountains are four main park areas that attract individuals and families seeking woodland walks without steep drops or high altitude.

Local Native American tribes regarded Snoqualmie Falls as a sacred place. The 276-ft (84-m) waterfall, beautifully divided in two sections by a convenient rock outcropping, marks the end of the Cascade Plateau, where the Snoqualmie River begins its final descent to the sea. An observation deck and a steep path to the river allow for closeup breathtaking views.

Hikers wanting a short spell of deep woods and water head to Olallie State Park, where a 3-mile (5-km) trail to Twin Falls awaits. The park’s amazing plant life includes giant ferns and salmonberry, and some of the Cascades’ few old-growth trees. One Douglas fir has a circumference of 14 ft (4 m).

Hiking near Snoqualmie Pass along I-90 is a mecca for families with kids. The creek pours over a series of rocks and creates pools for perfect old-fashioned swimming hole fun.

The 6.5-mile (10-km) trail in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness offers a pleasant walk through forests and wild berry picking when the season’s right. Meadows bloom in a kaleidoscope of colors in late spring, and mountain scenery abounds.

The ferry crossing and subsequent scenic drive along the Hood Canal enhance the journey to these rapids. The popular route inches near the fast-flowing Skokomish River as it pours down the eastern slopes of the Olympic Range on its way to Lake Cushman. Look out for kingfishers, harlequin ducks, and giant salamanders on the 2-mile (3-km) loop.

Drive to this 5,230-ft (1,594-m) mountain top at one of Olympic National Park’s most visited sites. The routes are paved, and bring visitors to one of the best 360-degree alpine overlooks. In winter, when the snowpack is immensely deep, the roads remain open for skiers and snowshoers.

Global warming has taken a toll on ice caves, but the attraction at the base of 6,153-ft (1,875-m) Big Four Mountain in the North Cascades is still vital. Hike the 1-mile (1.6-km) trail off the Mountain Loop Highway to the Ice Caves, the unusual result of alpine avalanches and climate conditions impacting the ice field at the mountain’s base.