Mount Hood
Just another ‘awesome’ day in Oregon!
When my Oregonian friend
(what the lucky locals call themselves)
sent me a few map choices one totally shouted out.
A trail next to a glacier was not something
I’d get to do at home in Cumbria!
Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon. At over 11,000ft there was no chance of making the top but so far, 8500ft was eminently possible. Especially I have to admit, when we drove to 6500ft.
Forest fires are something I always think of as a ‘big deal’ but they happen far more than I’d imagined. On the way up to the ‘parking lot’ silver trees bleached by fire were slowly feeding the growth of new forest regeneration.
As with all the trails I’ve been on this week, a pass had to be bought for $5. But what a location for a restroom.
Being so high we quickly left the trees behind and walked over volcanic rock far older than that on the Obsidian trail. Some warn down to a fine grey sand, through clinker coals to substantial boulders.
Amazingly nature was sneaking into the barren landscape and alpines once again dotted the surrounding grey.
Starting in short sleeves and sunshine, by the time we were level with the glacier ice the wind was picking up and there was a distinct chill more akin to December than August.
Not having any winter kit we went as far as the snow, when the mist decided to join the party, and turned around.
Time to turn around
Naturally, when we were part way down the wind picked up and for the first time in the day Mount Hood was totally revealed.
Though we only covered 2000ft, our little peak to the left still looked quite impressive.
And Olive was great company!
Trail map here.
