Mt Hood Oregon is a ski area in Oregon. Mt Hood is not
only popular as a ski area,
though, but also as a place to visit throughout the year.
Mt Hood hikers can visit the mountain for hiking
during the late spring, summer, and early fall. Mt Hood
Ski Bowl Action Park is a warm weather mountain park where
visitors can hike, mountain bike, and enjoy many other
summer time sports. The beauty of wildflowers in the summer
and the allure of groomed runs in the winter make Mt Hood
a busy place year round.
Perhaps the best known attraction to Mt Hood is Timberline
Lodge. Built in the early 20th century
as a government project during the Great Depression, Timberline
Lodge is a piece of history as well as a great place to
warm up between runs on the slopes. The lodge has some
of the highest craftsmanship of any ski lodge in North
America, with intricately carved wooden flourishes visible
all throughout the lodge. Skiers and snowboarders can
stay at the lodge itself, though accommodations there
are somewhat basic. Mt Hood skiers and snowboarders can
also stay at a nearby town and shuttle up to the mountain
if they plan to stay over night.
For skiers or snowboarders, the Mt Hood Meadows ski
area is also a great place to go. Mt Hood Oregon skiing
at Meadows has a crowd, generally due to the fact that
the area gets as much snow as Timberline, if not more
but don't let that keep you from coming to the mountain.
It can be a delightful place to visit, with great runs,
slightly lower prices and a lodge serving snacks and beverages.
Mt Hood Oregon is also known for the activities happening on the mountain after the snow has melted. Mt Hood Ski Bowl is the ultimate summer sport destination. Mt Hood hikers have long traveled to the area to take advantage of the miles upon miles of gorgeous wooded trails running up and down the mountainside. Wildflowers make a showing during the summer, and wild animals can be seen peeking out from hiding places as early as late spring. Mt Hood hikers aren’t the only ones taking advantage of the trails, however. Many trails are also available at Mt Hood Ski Bowl for mountain bikers. Many of the trails are free of debris and perfect for biking. If you do plan to bike through the woods, be sure to wear a helmet and bring your own water, as there are no water facilities once you travel up a few miles onto the trails.
One of the best places to visit during the spring and summer is Timothy Lake. Located right in the Mt. Hood National Forest near the Clackamas River, Timothy Lake is one of the largest lakes in this area and great for fishing, picknicking and hiking. During the summer, there are also many resorts open at Mt. Hood. The Cooper Spur Mountain Resort is once such resort, where guests can not only hike trails through the Mt. Hood National Forest, but also take a bike ride or even take a white water rafting trip.
If you do plan to stay at a resort during the summer or winter, you will want to make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Although reservations are not difficult to obtain in general, prices do increase as a date looms closer. Weekends and holidays are by far the most expensive and crowded times to stay. To obtain a great rate on a nice place to stay, try traveling as a group. Condos and home rentals make the per-person price lower than the price travelers might pay staying with just one or two people in a hotel room.
