Mount Hood Lodge-based Tour

• Shuttle to Trailhead: 2 hours
• Hiking Distance: 4-5 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 900-1200 feet

We kick off this scenic mountain and water-centered lodge based tour driving up the historic Columbia River Gorge originally traveled by the Lewis and Clark expedition.  On the way to our first hike, we’ll stop for a short walk up to Benson Bridge to view the famous Multnomah Falls; the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon, falling 611ft.  

Once we’ve taken in the Falls, we’ll continue on to Hood Meadows and our first real hike of the tour!  When we get on trail, the tree canopy is thick and turns the rolling meadows of this trail into a pine forest full of an array of vegetation. We will take the lollipop loop counter-clockwise once we reach the fork. Around this flattened loop we will identify the native ferns, the edible berries, the non edible berries, other flora and the trees that make up this low temperate rainforest. We are teased with breathtaking views of the mountain as we hike toward a pair of stunning waterfalls. We’ll pick a spot by Sahale Falls or Umbrella Falls to enjoy lunch, prepared by the guide, before completing the loop and returning to our vehicle.  Our lodging for this tour is the grand Timeberline Lodge.  Once we check in and get settled, we will enjoy a hearty dinner in the Cascade Dining Room at the Timberline Lodge.

• Hiking Distance: 3-5 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 1800-2200 feet

On Day 2 we’ll start in the lobby of our lodge by enjoying the famous all you can eat breakfast buffet. Don’t let the shorter distance of this hike fool you, as the elevation gain more than makes up for it!  We begin our hike for today by stepping outside of our lodge and onto the Volcano itself. We start up the mountain on the trail used by the more than 10k mountaineers annually to try and summit Oregon’s tallest mountain.  As we climb we’ll discuss the history of this volcano and the routes and trails that pass by this very location. We will stop for food and water outside Silcox Hut at the base of Palmer Glacier. On a clear day we can see the summit of Mount Hood looming ahead of us, as well as other stratovolcanoes Mount Jefferson and Three Sisters in the distance behind us. Once we are ready to descend, we will will jump back on trail and connect a loop that will end with views made famous by the movie “The Shinning”. We will enter the lodge and visit the bottom lobby of the hotel where there is a small film playing alongside other interesting facts about this structure.  

Once we’ve had a chance to regroup at the lodge, we will take a short drive over to Trillium Lake where we can enjoy more miles around the lake and a late afternoon dip if we choose!  If conditions permit, we can enjoy a cookout as the sun goes down over the lake, or end our amazing day at our warm and cozy lodge to clean up for a wonderful, hand-picked restaurant dinner.

• Shuttle to Maupin: 1 hour
• Rafting Distance: 12 miles
• Shuttle to Trailhead: 1 hour
• Hiking Distance: 4-6 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 600-800 feet

On day 3 we’ll have an earlier start as adventure awaits on one of the Columbia River’s largest tributaries!  After an early breakfast we’ll jump in the van by 8 am and head East for a morning of white water rafting on the Deschutes River. We’ll spend 2.5-3 hours on the river navigating class II and class III rapids.  Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time to kick back, relax, and look out for bighorn sheep amongst the basalt cliffs above us!  After we’ve had our fill on the river, we’ll enjoy a well deserved, hearty picnic lunch before heading back into the forest!  

Before we return to our lodge for the evening, we’ll squeeze in one more hike along the White River.  This trail offers sweeping views of the White River Glacier and Mount Hoods summit and will be the perfect way to end another day!  After soaking in the views, we’ll return to the lodge for another delicious meal before turning in for the night.

• Shuttle to Trailhead: 35 minutes
• Hiking Distance: 2.5-7.4 miles
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 900-2500 feet
• Shuttle to Portland: 2 hours

On day 4 we will wake up and enjoy our last meal before saying a final goodbye to our lodge.  Our road back to Portland (RT26) traces the same path of thousands of original pioneers on the Oregon Trail.  We will drive a short distance from the lodge to the town of Government Camp for our last hikes of this Pacific Northwest tour.  We’ll combine 2 trails that will take us through the high alpine forest, meadows, and streams and give us sneak peaks of Mount Jefferson and Mount Hood as we climb.  Before turning back, we’ll find a secluded, high alpine lake for lunch.  On a clear day, this particular lake will offer us our last stunning profile of Mount Hood.  Once we’ve had our fill on food, we’ll wave goodbye to the mountains, hike back down to the van, and follow the Oregon Trail back to Portland for the conclusion of our adventure.