PLACES
Know your peaks
Central Oregon is a window into our state’s volcanic past.
Some of the peaks visible from Redmond are extinct volcanoes;
others are merely dormant.
The smaller peaks are various byproducts of volcanic
activity, from cinder cones to rhyolite domes. The tallest
peak visible from Redmond is MOUNT JEFFERSON, at
10,497 feet. It last erupted around the year 950.
MOUNT WASHINGTON is not far behind, at 7,794 feet.
Scientists think it last erupted around the year 670.
THE THREE SISTERS, known as Faith (North
Sister, 10,085 feet), Hope (Middle Sister, 10,047 feet),
and Charity (South Sister, 10,358 feet), are iconic.
South Sister is the one most frequently tackled by
climbers.
THREE FINGERED JACK (7,844 feet) lies south
of Mount Jefferson. Many smaller promontories
are visible from Redmond: TETHEROW BUTTE is
sometimes called Cinder Butte by locals.
CLINE BUTTES are a popular recreation site with
many trails. BLACK BUTTE, a 6,436-foot cinder cone,
last saw volcanic activity some 1.4 million years ago.
GRAY BUTTE and POWELL BUTTES, to the north and
east of Redmond, are both about 5,000 feet. FORKED
HORN BUTTE, within city limits, is barely 200 feet
higher than Redmond itself.
Graphic and photos from the Spokesman files
Which Cascades peaks are which?
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