Mount Hood National Forest, OR
09.12.2021
After landing in Portland we couldn’t wait to get out and explore the classic views of Oregon. Mount Hood National Forest turned out to be a great spot to do just that. En route we drove through all of the tall and lush green pines and by the time we parked next to Timberline Lodge at 6,000 feet of elevation, we had a sweeping view of the trees from above with two mountain tops bookending an expanse of valley between.
A thriving ski resort in the winter, this spot in the summer is a popular mountain bike and hiking destination. Our hike included a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,650 mile long trail that runs from the Mexico to Canada borders, and the Timberline Trail, a 41 mile trail that circles the peak Mount Hood. We took a short 5 mile loop heading northeast from Timberline Lodge toward Zig Zag Canyon. On-site trail maps were a bit tricky for us to read but Google Maps had the trail marked out for us and we had surprisingly good cell service. It was a great hike to kick off our visit to Oregon!
We couldn’t get enough of the fuzzy Oregon trees!
Trail permits are free outside of ski season (May 15 – October 15), and are available at the trailheads. If you’re a ski buff, visit the official website of the historic Timberline Ski Lodge. Continue your Oregon road trip with some inspiration from this 11 day Oregon road trip itinerary.
