Mt. Hood
From Peak to Valley: An Insider's Guide
Edited by Brian Barker By Rachel Ritchie, Christopher Van Tilburg, Kasey Cordell, and Kelly O'Connor
Warming Hut, Mt Hood Skibowl
The carved benches inside this sturdy hut perched on the slopes of Skibowl seem to have grown into place. Old photos trace the hill’s ski heritage to the late 1930s, and a big stone fireplace dominates the back wall. Occasionally, old-timers play accordions by the flames, adding an alpine ambience. If you’re hungry, go for the goulah. Piping hot with chunks of potatoes and onion, it’s chicken soup for the skier’s soul.
Mt Hood Skibowl; skibowl.com -BB
Ice Axe Grill
This little brew-pub is about as close as Government Camp comes to haute cuisine. The rockfish tacos sprinkled with a fresh cilantro cream sauce would pass muster in San Diego. Salads are studded with goodies like peppered bacon and kalamata olives. And the beer? It’s crafted on-site by the Mt Hood Brewing Company. And there’s a reason every bar on the mountain keeps these micro-suds on tap.
87304 E Government Camp Loop; 503-272-3172; iceaxegrill.com —BB
Blue Ox Bar
In a cavelike alcove off one of Timberline Lodge’s side halls sits the Blue Ox Bar. Any smaller and it’d have to be a closet. Still, the place breathes with history. The bar is lined with striking tile murals of Paul Bunyan and his trusty ox, hand-laid by WPA artist Virginia Darcy back when the lodge first opened in 1937. Restored in 1974 by Darcy herself, the murals glow like a Tiffany lamp even today. When you hoist a brew before this backdrop, you’ll feel like a part of the tall tale, your exploits permanently etched into the mountain’s fabled lore.
Timberline Road; 503-272-4457; timberlinelodge.com —BB
Published: December 2009
Your recent Mt. Hood focus was a huge disappointment. It neglected several unique attractions and new accommodation in Governement Camp. Completely There was no mention of Skibowl, America’s largest night ski area with 34 lit runs and any of its ongoing special events, including the extensive midnight fireworks show held each year Skibowl on New Year’s eve, with skiing open til 2 a.m. Mt. Hood Adventure, located in the well-known Ratskeller building in Govy, is the areas leading recreation provider and the only company with a permit to provider guided snowmobile trips in the Mt. Hood National forest. Collins Lake Resort Chalets and the Grand Lodges provide new, quality accommodations making overnight and extended stays enjoyable. These are businesses that have made a commitment to the area and provide jobs to locals. To not mention them in a showcase issue is a great disservice to them and your readers. Your showcase Mt. Hood issue is grossly incomplete. There is more going on now then just good old Timberline and snowrider slang.
I am holding the map “Mt Hood Ski and Snowshoe Trails.” I can not find a 5 mile round trip snowshoeing opportunity from White River. The White River trail is 5.7 miles one way. That would make for 11.4 miles round trip. Which trail is your article in reference to?
Just to clarify, Brian Barker contacted me. From his email I believe he was in reference to starting at the White River snow park and hiking NW up to the 6000’ mark on boyscout ridge. That is a 5 mi round trip.