8:30 a.m. Wednesday and Sunday or by request
Wy’East is the Indigenous name for Mt. Hood, and on this trip we will visit both the waterfall-laden Columbia Gorge and the timberline of the mountain itself, with time for short exploration in both the waterfall areas and on the volcanic peak.
Follow the river that has carved its way through the Cascade Mountain Range on its journey past stunning cliff viewpoints and beautiful waterfalls to its center, the apple orchard, beer and river sports haven of Hood River, before driving up toward the summit of the mountain. After a morning visiting waterfalls and short hiking trails, we will stop briefly at the crossing of the Pacific Crest Trail from Oregon to Washington, the town we now call Cascade Locks but once was home to the storied Indigenous landmark, the Bridge of the Gods. We will stop so that you can find lunch in either Cascade Locks or Hood River, depending on the weather and your preferences, and for a visit to the once-eastern end of the Historic Columbia River Highway, the viewpoint known as Rowena Crest.
Our drive up toward the timberline of Wy’East, the native name for Mt. Hood, will take us into some majestic forests and very young geology; the mountain itself is only 30,000 years old. This pyroclastic volcano is home to stunning rocks, fascinating geology, five ski areas, and the 1930s beauty, the Timberline Lodge. Depending on snow conditions and lodge availability, we will visit either this lodge or another canyon where (on calm days) views of the summit are intense and the opportunity to hike or run around in the snow will present itself. After this visit, we’ll head back to Portland via HWY 26, favorite of mountain denizens. In all the day will be eight to nine hours.
Hiking distances will depend on the weather and your group, but will total anywhere from one to about three miles (2 to 5 km). On very snowy days in the winter, we will bring along equipment so that you can get out into some of the gorgeous snowscapes.
8 hours, 1-3 miles (2-5 km) hiking, $130