Mt Hood

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Mt Hood

Mt Hood is a snow-capped volcano 11,249 feet high and has 12 glaciers. It is considered to be dormant, however, the USGS considers it to be potentially active with chances of eruption during the next 30 years between 3 and 7 percent.

There is no end of things to do on or around Mt Hood during both the summer and winter months--all of them are outdoors. Foremost is the skiing, both alpine and cross country. Of course there is also snowboarding. Mt. Hood has six ski areas. Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline, Ski Bowl, Cooper Spur, Snow Bunny, and Summit. From Timberline you have access to the Palmer Glacier for skiing even in the summer.

Mt. Hood is one of the most climbed mountains in the United States. That is because it is one of the easiest mountains to climb. Easy doesn't mean safe. Hardly a winter passes without a climber or a whole group of climbers getting into trouble and sadly people do die. It is an exhilerating experience though.

Trillium Lake

The area also shines for activities during the summer months. There is golf at the Resort at the Mountain, an alpine slide at Government Camp, endless hiking trails, lakes for boating and fishing, rivers for kayaking, rafting and fishing, mountain biking, and mountain climbing. Mushroom hunting during the spring and fall can be fantastic

with chantrelles, morels, and boletes. There are trails that are suitable for hiking, cycling or horseback riding. You can camp in a beautiful campground or rent a rustic cabin by a babbling creek.

Dave Welton, Creative Commons

If you are just passing through on your way to somewhere else, you need to make a stop at Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark. This just shouldn't be missed by anyone. There are very few buildings like it in the world. Not only will you see spectacular views of Mount Hood, but also views to the south over the Mt. Hood National Forest with lakes and other snowcapped mountains in the distance.

The Timberline Trail is a beautiful hiking trail that goes around the mountain at the timberline level. It is a fantastic hike to take during the first two weeks of August when the alpine flowers are in bloom. It takes about four days for the entire hike if you stop for the night. Shorter day hikes can be made from Timberline Lodge or the Cloud Cap Inn.

The villages of the Mt Hood Corridor, Highway 26, are Brightwood, Welches, Zig Zag, Rhododendron, and Government Camp and they have the needed services for visitors. There are motels, restaurants, grocery stores, video stores, hair salons, a dentist's office, doctor's office, gas stations, a bank with ATM, a liquor store, a fly fishing shop, and an RV park.

For cabins to rent on Mt. Hood

There is an abundance of wildlife in the area. It is not unusual to see deer frolicking on the golf course in Welches. I used to have them grazing in my yard regularly. Bear are also plentiful but not enough to be scary. These are brown bears not the grizzly type. You will see beaver dams sometimes in the streams that flow through campgrounds. Racoons are around but you may not see them unless you make the mistake of putting food out for them. They know a good thing when they see it and are not hesitant to tell all their friends that there is a new "restaurant" in town.

Aaron Linville, Creative Commons

The Zig Zag Ranger Station between Zig Zag and Rhododendron is a good place to stop for information about hiking trails, campgrounds, and for information about any permits that might be needed. Also the Mt. Hood Information Center off Highway 26 on Welches Road in the village of Welches (turn at the traffic light) has information for the entire area. Plus you can get Forest Recreation Passes, Sno-Park Permits, and

Day Fishing Licenses here. In the winter it is a good idea to stop here for road information if you intend travel further up the mountain.

Mt Hood is one of my favorite places in Oregon and I lived in the area for 25 years. I reluctantly left ten years ago to take a job in another area of Oregon.

Return to Great Oregon Vacations from Mt Hood.

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