COASTAL MOUNTAINS

The Oregon coastal mountains are not high in elevation but they are very rugged in certain places.  The highest peak is Mary's Mountain at about 4,000 feet elevation.  There are many rivers and small creeks meandering through these mountains which can receive over 130 inches of rain on the western slopes.  Laurel Mountain has recieved the record maximum annual precipitation at 204.04 inches.  In winter and spring the hills are covered with moss and ferns showing the signs of a rainforest in many spots.  Many of the mountains are also rocky due to erosion and high wind velocities near mountain tops where vegetation has a tough time holding up.  The main downside to these mountains are the numerous clear-cuts that continue as well as the massive Tillamook burn in the northern section.  Clear-cuts are not as prevalent in the Cascades to the lack accessibility in many areas.  There is probably more tonnage of lumber taken from the Oregon Coastal Mountains and Olympic Mountains per acre than anywhere else in the United States.