Explore Mount Hood, Oregon’s Highest Peak

If you have chosen Oregon as your road trip destination, it is likely you will include a major city such as Portland not only to visit it but also to use it as a base for excursions in the surrounding area. Well, if you are lucky enough to find good weather with clear skies, you can see a majestic snow-capped peak in the distance: Mount Hood. So why not go and see it up close?

Considered one of the seven wonders of Oregon, Mount Hood is an absolute must for those who love mountain vistas and hiking to lakes and waterfalls. Moreover, as we shall see, its geographic location at the very least makes it a good intermediate stop on the way to visit other interesting destinations in the state.

Mount Hood: A Brief Introduction

Mount Hood is a 11,250 ft-high, perennially snow-capped inactive stratovolcano that is home to 11 active glaciers. It is the highest peak in Oregon and is a year-round destination for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. Within the Mt. Hood National Forest, there is the Mount Hood Wilderness, where most of the trails mentioned in this article are located.

Location

Mount Hood, and the Mount Hood National Forest, is located about 63 miles east of Portland, near a small town called Government Camp.

For those who want to ski or hike to get closer to the top of the mountain, the two main access points are on the south side:

• Timberline Lodge
• Mount Hood Meadows

However, as you will read in this article, many of the trails and viewpoints are in the immediate vicinity of the small towns and communities at the foot of the mountain: Government Camp, Rhododendron, Zigzag, and the Hood River Valley.

How to Get to Mount Hood

Around the mountain, US-26 and OR-35 are the two roads that form the scenic Mount Hood Loop Scenic Byway. For those who have the opportunity, there is the option of closing the loop by returning to Portland via the road that skirts the outstanding Columbia River Gorge, where scenic waterfalls and other viewpoints abound.

To reach Mount Hood from downtown Portland you will need to take I-84 E and take exit 16 toward Wood Village. At this point, you can take US-26 and drive 38 miles to Government Camp. The road then continues to the junction with OR-35, which will take you north to Hood River along the Columbia River.

If, on the other hand, you are coming from Central Oregon, you will also have to travel north on US-26, but this time from Madras. If you are going in this direction from Portland, you can then stop at Mount Hood on the way!

Mount Hood Loop Scenic Byway: Stops along the way

The scenic byway that wraps around Mount Hood offers a remarkable variety of scenery, with coniferous forests that provide shade for the small towns at the foot of the Cascade Mountains to the volcanic areas around Mount Hood, not to mention the immense glaciers, lakes, and lush orchards of the Hood River Valley.

If you are coming from Portland, I recommend taking note of the following stops, which you can make depending on your interests and the time available. Let’s begin by describing the most interesting hikes around Rhododendron and Zigzag, two communities located along US-26.

Ramona Falls

Between May and early October (i.e., when there is no snow), this is arguably the most popular hike in the entire area. You will hike along the Sandy River to the lookout then, at the end of the trail, on a small bridge you are confronted by a rock wall nestled in the woods (121 ft) where beautiful little waterfalls spill over, providing a truly impressive backdrop. Hikers typically come here in the middle of the day on a day trip from Portland, or they are people who stay at the famous Timberline Lodge at the foot of the mountain. In this case, the trail is completely different from the one I am going to describe.

To reach the trailhead coming from Portland one must detour from US-26 at Zigzag at this point, taking Lolo Pass Road. After 4.2 miles turn right at this point. After 0.6 miles, turn right at the bridge and continue on the same road for another 2.2 miles to the trailhead parking lot. The 984-ft elevation gain is fairly gradual along the 3.5-mile long trail (one way). Pay attention when it is time to ford the Sandy River. After crossing the river, the trail to the falls overlaps with the Pacific Crest Trail. You will return on the same trail, for a total of about 6.8 miles of walking.

Bald Mountain Hike

If, on the other hand, you would like to reach a vantage point to see Mount Hood from this angle in all its magnificence, you will have to hike to Bald Mountain. The point where the hike begins is the Lolo Pass Trailhead, which is located along the same Lolo Pass Road that you traveled to reach Ramona Falls. These are the coordinates of the trailhead, located 10 miles (19 minutes) from the junction with US-26.

This hike is also best done in late spring to early fall when there is no snow. The trail is of moderate length (6.7 miles round trip) and has a greater elevation gain (about 1,476 ft). You will walk mostly in the woods on the Pacific Crest Trail to the point where it connects with the Timberline Trail, which marks the beginning of the final loop. There are plenty of great views of Mount Hood, but the natural overlook below the crest of Bald Mountain that you will find at the end of the trail offers an astounding view of the valley and Mount Hood’s summit.

Mirror Lake and Trillium Lake: Scenic Lakes

There are a large number of lakes around Mount Hood, which, for those who love scenic views and placid expanses of fresh water framed by forests and snow-capped peaks, will certainly be magnificent to visit. There are two that are particularly noted for the exceptional view of Mount Hood:

• Mirror Lake: This lake can be reached via a loop trail about 4 miles long, with an elevation gain of 673 feet. The hike is all in the woods and begins just along the edge of US-26 at this point where there is a fairly large parking lot. When you arrive at the small lake, look for the best angle to see Mount Hood in the distance.
• Trillium Lake: If you don’t have time, energy, or desire to hike to Mirror Lake, choose Trillium Lake. Shortly after Government Camp, you will find a sign on US-26 indicating the lake is 2 miles away. This means you won’t have to walk to see this wonderful, vast mountain lake, which offers the best views near the campground in the picnic area. Bring some sandwiches, find a free table and enjoy the peak of Mount Hood towering against the backdrop of the lake’s crystal clear waters (see photo above).

Timberline Lodge: Trails and ski lifts

At Government Camp, you’ll have the opportunity to take a detour from the scenic drive and approach Mount Hood, towards the summer lifts and the famous Timberline Lodge. When you arrive in front of the luxurious hotel, you will have an eerie feeling of Deja Vu. You may ask yourself where have you seen this building before? Kubrick fans already raise their hands to answer the question: The Shining! The exterior of the Timberline Lodge was chosen by the talented director to depict the Overlook Hotel, where the terrifying story of Jack Torrance and his family takes place.

Find a room in the lodge

There are several ski lifts near the lodge, but the most famous is undoubtedly the Palmer Express, which – only during the summer months – transports tourists, skiers, and snowboarders to a height of 8,537 ft, not far from the summit of Mount Hood (11,250 ft).

A nimble medium-length trail also starts from Timberline Lodge and leads to Zigzag Overlook, which offers remarkable views of Mount Hood and Zigzag Canyon from the top of the ridge. This point makes the end of the trail, which is about 4.6 miles (round-trip). The next trail is the Pacific Crest Trail, which starts just above the lodge. You will pass two small canyons (Sand Canyon and Little Zigzag Canyon) before arriving on the ridge at the indicated point.

White River West Sno-Park

About 3 miles past Government Camp, Scenic Drive merges with OR-35, and the loop around the mountain continues. Over Barlow Pass, you will begin to approach Hood River Valley, but first, it is worth stopping at the White River West Sno-Park. If there is a lot of snow, this canyon is the best place in the area for sledding or enjoying the outstanding view of Mount Hood from the bridge over the White River just up the road.

Mt. Hood Meadows Waterfalls

After Sno Park, you can take another detour to the top of Mount Hood. Turn around at this point, and on the southeastern slope of the mountain, you will find another access route, called Mt. Hood Meadows. Here, too, there are several ski slopes and ski facilities to ascend the mountain, but if you have not come to ski, keep in mind that there is a pleasant trail near the main parking lot that leads to Umbrella Falls and Sahalie Falls.

 

While the Umbrella Falls can be reached by taking a very short trail (0.2 miles), to reach the latter you need to continue the same trail through the forest for another 0.3 miles to the intersection with the Sahalie Falls Trail. From there walk about one mile before reaching the destination. To return to the parking lot, walk back on the same trail.

Tamanawas Falls

In Oregon, there are countless waterfalls, but in the area that surrounds Mount Hood, Tamanawas Falls is among the most famous and most visited falls. People usually come here between May and October. The trailhead is located along OR-35 toward Hood River, more specifically, here at a parking lot on the river.

The trail is 3.4 miles long (round trip) and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. You will walk through the woods mostly along Cold Spring Creek. The first part of the hike is on the East Fork Trail which will take you to a small bridge leading to the intersection with the Tamanawas Falls Trail. At the end of the trail along the river, you will find these scenic waterfalls tumbling from a 108-feet cliff of volcanic rock.

Hood River Valley

Along OR-35 you will see a completely different landscape. In fact, you will cross the lush Hood River Valley on the way to the Columbia River. As you approach Hood River (the town), you will see the forest thinning and giving way to farms with their vineyards and fruit plantations (pears, apples, cherries, blueberries, etc.), and in the background the ever-present Mount Hood peak. There is a route designed just for those who want to taste the delights of this land, that is, the so-called Fruit Loop. Here is a map in case you get hungry!

Mount Hood Railroad

Finally…an experience from another time. If you still want to enjoy the views of the valley without thinking about driving, park your car and hop on the Hood River Train, a historic train that makes a scenic trip from Hood River to Parkdale. More information can be found here.

The loop to Portland comes to a close: Columbia River Gorge!

Depending on what your itinerary is, you may decide to take the road to or from Hood River, but if you like the idea of ending the loop by heading back to Portland, all you have to do is get information on how to visit the Columbia River Gorge, a paradise of waterfalls and amazing views.

Map of Places Mentioned

Mount Hood Tours

Places to Stay Near Mount Hood