Trip Report

Although Oregon has seen record breaking triple digit heat, spreading wildfires, and smoke in recent weeks, we were graced with perfect conditions for our exploring Mt.Hood hiking/camping trip. We had bug free days and nights, blue skies, warm but hikable temperatures, lovely paintbrush and asters covering the meadows and trailing along the streams, and the added treat of rip huckleberries at every turn. Our first day we crossed roaring Newton Creek on various logs to enjoy a serene lunch at the old wood shelter on Elk Meadows. Sitting at the base of Mt. Hood it gave us our first full view of the grand mountain. In the evening we strolled around Trillium lake watching the wildlife come out and the sun going down on Hood.The next day we hiked up Vista Ridge. This trail took us through an old burn area where the contrast between the sculpted silver trees and the hot pink Fire Weed is quite lovely. When we connected with the Timberline trail, views of Mt.Rainier, Mt.Adams and distinctive St. Helens opened up in the skyline. We followed Timberline trail to Elk Cove, passing flower covered Alpine meadows and jumping over clear crispy streams along the way. On our way back from lunch in a shaded spot by Elk Cove we passed the hidden user trail to Dollar lake twice before taking out our maps and aps and using our superior trail skills to find the secret trailhead in the bushes. The lake is nestled in a beautiful valley, but the lake itself was rather shallow and murky green.Our third and final day we took a morning hike to Mirror lake before heading back home. Obsidian trips are a team effort. Much appreciation to our drivers who navigated the winding, dusty roads, to our trail finders, wildlife spotters and flower identifiers for making this year's trip an fine adventure.