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Mt. Hood Territory Itineraries
- A View from Town – Greater Portland
- Abundant Countryside – Willamette Valley
- The Great Wide Open – Mt. Hood
The Mt. Hood National Forest is a whopping one million acres, making up over half of The Territory. This southern region of the Mt. Hood Territory could occupy even the most spirited traveler for days. Clear alpine lakes dot the region, where the fishing is good and the living is easy. The Clackamas River nuzzles down through the center of The Territory and the Oak Grove Fork branches off and runs into Timothy Lake at the eastern edge of The Territory. Campgrounds, as remote as you want them to be, are nestled along the “Wild and Scenic” Clackamas River. This is where kayakers, canoers, and whitewater paddlers get their kicks and where the fish rise often and the nights are dreamy and silent. They ought to be - you’re miles from the clatter and din of cities or towns. Estacada welcomes the visitor to a unique hometown experience with the local heritage and culture portrayed in the public mural displays painted around town and a brewery to satisfy the thirst. Experience the life of the Oregon Trail pioneers as they traveled along the Barlow Road at the historic Philip Foster Farm.
On the northern end of the Territory, take Highway 26 east from the Portland area along the Mt. Hood National Scenic Byway. Explore the city of Sandy, the gateway to Mt. Hood recreation, offering travelers a mix of sporting equipment and rental shops, quaint shops and restaurants, including Wasson Brothers Winery. Don’t miss stunning views of Mt. Hood and the Sandy River valley from Jonsrud Viewpoint, and learn all about the early pioneers and developments at the Sandy Historical Museum.
As you near the most significant elevation climb on Mt. Hood, you pass through Alder Creek, Brightwood, Wemme, Welches, Zigzag and Rhododendron – the Villages of Mt. Hood. Stop in at any one of the satellite Visitor Information Centers from Sandy to Government Camp and talk with area experts or pick up as much information about the area as you can carry. This outdoor enthusiast’s playground provides Oregon’s best location to enjoy year-round recreation, alpine village shopping, wellness/spa treatment and hospitality services within a unique cultural heritage area. Try golf at Oregon’s oldest golf course at The Resort at The Mountain, look through an underwater viewing window at Wildwood Recreation Site and Cascade Streamwatch, or get out and hike or bike one of the many trails in the Mt. Hood National Forest that will give you staggering views. Browse local artists’ studios and galleries and savor unique culinary treasures, made from the bounty of the mountain landscape.
And lastly, winding your way along Highway 26 east to Government Camp – Mt. Hood’s alpine village, there is spectacular Mt. Hood. It reaches to a height of 11,245 feet. Sledding on shallow hills, cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow camping are all allowed. Government Camp, located at the 4,000 foot elevation is becoming the quintessential Cascadian mountain village, and a premier year-round recreation destination. Learn about mountain culture and history at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum and the Arts Cabins Project or explore the tracks of the Oregon Trail pioneers along sections of the Barlow Road. A variety of dining options can be enjoyed, from home-style cooking to the local brewery. Not-to-be-missed Timberline Lodge is a National Historic Landmark located at the 6,000 foot level of Mt. Hood, built in the 1930s as part of the WPA program. Timberline Lodge & Ski Area has the distinction of having the longest snow season in North America. Mt. Hood Skibowl is the nation’s largest night ski area and in the summer, transforms to become an adventure park and alpine slide. Find unique and cozy places to stay from historic lodges, to full service resorts and condo, to many vacation rentals and B&Bs.
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