You're looking at Mount Hood, an active stratovolcano and the highest peak in Oregon, standing at 11,250 feet (3,429 meters). Despite its sometimes misty appearance, it's considered to be one of the more dangerous volcanoes in the United States due to its proximity to populated areas and its history of eruptions. The last major event was in 1782, shortly before the Lewis and Clark Expedition first sighted it.

The mountain is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a line of volcanoes stretching from British Columbia to northern California. These volcanoes are formed by the subduction of the Juan de Fuca Plate under the North American Plate. This geological activity not only creates the dramatic peaks you see but also leads to earthquakes and geothermal features throughout the region.

Mount Hood is also home to Timberline Lodge, a historic ski resort visible from many vantage points, famous for its grand architecture and as the external setting for the 1980 horror film "The Shining." The snow you see is part of its twelve named glaciers, which are a vital water source for the surrounding lowlands.