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
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Cascade Huts
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These three recently opened metal-frame cabins set along Forest Service roads in the White River Valley and along Barlow Ridge now accommodate local winter backcountry outings. Hardcore skiers and snowshoers can trek in for a quick overnight stay at one of the cabins or link them up for extended outings. Each hut is outfitted with eight pine bunks, sleeping bags and pads, lanterns, a propane stove and heater, and basic kitchen utensils, but you’ll need to haul in your own food and water—small pittance for a few nights of deep, snowy solitude. —BB
From $150. 866-430-4559; cascadehuts.com
Mt Hood Bed & Breakfast
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The grounds of the Mt Hood Bed & Breakfast include a working ranch with cattle and quarter horses, ponds, and apple orchards. Four quaint rooms feature warm, pine-toned interiors and stunning views of the mountains, and the 42 acres of snow-blanketed fields and trails offer plenty of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures. Hit the trails early in the morning and proprietors Mike and Jackie Rice will have a hot country breakfast waiting for you when you return. —Rachel Ritchie
Rooms from $155. 8885 Cooper Spur Rd, Parkdale; 541-352-6885; mthoodbnb.com
Timberline Lodge
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Completed in 1937 as the Northwest’s high-water mark for Works Progress Administration projects, Timberline earned a visit from Franklin Roosevelt himself for its dedication. Since 1955, the lodge has been managed and lovingly cared for by the Kohnstamm family. Inside, the soaring public spaces feature brawny beams of Douglas fir, wrought-iron detailing, towering stone fireplaces, and two bigger-than-life murals by Oregon’s greatest early-century painter, C.S. Price. Overnight options include hostel-style bunks and large corner rooms, but the hospitality really shines in the eight “fireplace guest rooms.” Each is uniquely decorated with detailed paintings of regional flora, handcrafted rugs, rustic woodsy furnishings, and a large stone hearth. Whatever room you book, make sure you visit the giant heated outdoor pool and hot tub, where you can watch fat snowflakes fall into the steaming water with a glass of hot buttered rum in hand. It puts all other après-ski scenes to shame. —RR
Rooms from $115. Timberline Road; 503-272-3134; timberlinelodge.com
The Tails of Hood
Tracing the lineage of Mount Hood's most notable canines
RANGER. Adopted as a puppy in 1925 by the owner of the Government Camp Hotel, Ranger would cower in fear at the sight of automobiles. But on the mountain, the dog’s toughness was legendary: the sure-footed Australian shepherd mix stood atop Mount Hood an alleged 500 times. Ranger made one last climb in 1938 before ascending to the big peaks in the sky in 1939. In tribute, members of the Wy’East Climbers, who seldom made the trip to the top without the dog, laid their friend to rest on the mountain’s summit.
BRUNO When Timberline Lodge opened in 1937, a pair of Saint Bernards—Lady and Bruel—greeted guests. By the 1950s, the mammoth mutts were considered Timberline’s official mascots. After one of their successors, a Bernard named Bruno, earned stardom in a ’60s ad campaign, the name stuck. Bruno the Eighth—the current hound—is owned by the Wy’East Day Lodge’s gift shop manager. The 2-year-old, 120-pound pooch can usually be found, belly up, beneath the register. If he looks a little tired, remember: Timberline gets about two million visitors a year. That’s a lot of palms to sniff.
VELVET This black Labrador mix rose to fame in February 2007. While Velvet was roped together with her owner, Matty Bryant, and two other climbers, the whole team fell 500 feet down a ledge during a snowstorm. That night, as winds raged around the climbers’ impromptu bivouac, Velvet took turns lying on each of them. Rescuers credited the dog’s body heat with keeping the trio alive. After an appearance on Good Morning America, Velvet headlined a local fundraiser that generated $52,000 for teams like Portland Mountain Rescue. It was held at—where else?—the Lucky Lab. —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.