Sept 30 - Mt Hood, Oregon

  Today we explored the west and south side of Mt Hood.  This mountain is 11,235 feet tall, and dominates the area.  The Oregon Trail had to either go north of the mountain, down the Colombia River, or skirt the mountain, going east to west on a pass over the south side of the mountain.  When we started out, the day was cool, but sunny, with a few fluffy clouds.  We followed a portion of the Oregon Trail.
  Our first stop was a the Jonsrud Viewpoint.  This is on a bluff, overlooking a valley with Mt Hood in the background.  Snow covered and towering over the landscape.  Impressive.
  Next we stopped at the Wildwood Recreation Area.  This park had a very nice paved trail that went along the Salmon River.  It also had a unique viewing station that showed you an underwater chamber.  You could see above and beneath the stream--very interesting.  Apparently, salmon run in this river at appropriate times of the year--however, not today.
  Following the scenic highway, we came to the town of Government Camp.  This is a ski resort town, fairly high up the mountain, which also has a lot of summer activities.  We went to the Historical Museum, and learned about the Oregon Trail and the early settlers to Oregon.  I'm glad I was able to travel this mountainous area in a car, and not a covered wagon.  We ate lunch at a very cool little sandwich shop.
  The highlight of the trip was the Timberline Lodge, up at around 6,000 feet.  As we drove  up, and up, and up the mountain to the lodge, the roadside and the mountain became snow covered.  A good 3 inches covered everything.  The last loop to the lodge was completely fogged in, with icy parking lots, and 28 degree temps.  And here I thought I'd left New England winters!  It was like we had entered into an alternate universe.  The lodge was anticlimactic, since we couldn't see a thing.  So, we went back down the mountain.  As soon as we got a little lower, we could see the valleys with their snow covered pines.  It was breathtaking!  By the time we got to the bottom and back onto the scenic highway, it was 51 degrees, no snow, and fairly clear. 
   Our final stop on the scenic route was at ZigZag Falls.  This followed the old scenic highway, built in the 1920's.  Then a half mile trail went uphill through a beautiful rain forest, along the ZigZag stream.  As soon as we started on the trail, we saw a black bear on the hillside across the stream from us--fortunately going in the opposite direction!  The trail ended at the ZigZag Falls, a truly exquisite falls, stream and forest.  The sign at the beginning of the trail explained it all--saying how the falls creates negative ions, which stimulates serotonin, which makes you feel uplifted.  Indeed you do!
  By the time we returned to the Portland area, it was 51 degrees, with no clouds in the sky at all!  We decided that since Oregon is so noted for their craft beers, we should stop in for a beer. We found a really nice pub/restaurant/brewery and had a good craft beer to finish out the delightful day.

Mt Hood photos:

Jonsrud Viewpoint photo:

Note Mt Hood peaking out at the top of the photo

Timberline Lodge photos and road to and from photos:

ZigZag Falls photos: