Your Ultimate Guide to Mount Hood, Oregon

Visit Oregon’s iconic peak, Mount Hood, a majestic sentinel in the Cascade Range. Towering at 11,240 feet (3,426 meters), Mount Hood is the highest point in Oregon and a beloved outdoor playground for adventurers and nature enthusiasts.

Its snow-capped summit is visible from miles away, making it a year-round destination for climbers, skiers, and hikers. With 12 glaciers adorning its slopes, Mount Hood offers unparalleled opportunities for winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

During the summer, the rugged terrain becomes a haven for hiking enthusiasts, with numerous trails winding through lush forests and alpine meadows.

Its proximity to cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland makes it a perfect place for weekend getaways. In this blog post, I’ll cover everything you need before planning a trip to Mount Hood. Moreover, the best part is its connectivity via public transit, making it an ideal spot for a car-free adventure.

We took a day trip from Portland in the winter of 2023, all done by public transportation, and were amazed by its connectivity.

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🚌 How to reach using Public Transit?

We took the Amtrak train from Seattle’s King Street Station to Portland’s Union Station and then hailed a cab to Gresham Transit Center. This option saved us 40 minutes of travel time and only cost us $28 for two people. Alternatively, you can take the FX2 bus route, which will take about an hour to reach the transit center.

Once we arrived at the transit center, we boarded the Sandy Local & Gresham Express, which took us to Sandy Transit Center in just 25 minutes. It was the starting point of the Express Route to Mount Hood. The journey from Portland took us around 2 hours, and the route was incredibly scenic.

🛌 Where to Stay

If you’re planning to stay for a night or two, make Timberline Lodge your home, renowned for its rustic charm, architectural grandeur, and stunning mountain vistas. This historic hotel is a National Historic Landmark, constructed during the Great Depression as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects. Moreover, if you’re a horror movie buff, you’re in for a treat. This lodge was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s classic film “The Shining.”

🍛 What to Eat

Timberline Lodge has several restaurants to satisfy your palette. Each offers something unique, from glacier-fed breweries to award-winning wines to farm-to-table food. Here is a list of budget eateries we recommend visiting:

Wy’East Cafe

Located within the Wy’East Day Lodge, this cafe offers a tempting array of meals, from freshly made pizza to sandwiches. The Wy’East Cafe operates every day till the lifts are in operation. Drop in for a delightful cup of hot cocoa, steaming grille sandwiches, and the view!

Y’Bar

Next to the Wy’East Café resides Y’Bar, known for its hearty après-ski menu and craft ales from Mt. Hood Brewing Co. The interior boasts large glass doors that open onto an expansive outdoor sun deck with breathtaking vistas of Mt. Jefferson and other Cascade peaks.

Mt. Hood Brewing Co.

If you want to enjoy some delectable Oregon-inspired brews, head to Mt. Hood Brewing Co. in Government Camp. Founded in 1991, this brewery offers artisanal beer crafted with premium local ingredients.

🎿 Activities

Mount Hood offers plenty of year-round activities, catering to all kinds of crowds, from adventurers to nature lovers. Here’s what all you can do at Mount Hood.

Winter

Mount Hood is one of the best places to ski and snowboard in the Pacific Northwest. With several ski resorts, including Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood Meadows, and Ski Bowl, adventurers can enjoy a variety of slopes catering to all skill levels.

If you don’t ski or snowboard, snowshoeing is a great way to explore this winter wonderland. Mount Hood has several easy trails offering stunning views of the mountain and surrounding forests blanketed in snow.

Summer

Mount Hood becomes a haven for hiking and biking enthusiasts during summer. You can take a leisurely stroll through old-growth forests and alpine meadows or challenge yourself to climb the summit. If you’re looking for something more thrilling, you can bike on downhill trails and scenic cross-country routes on Mount Hood.

Alternatively, you can take a scenic drive along the Mount Hood Scenic Byway, winding through picturesque landscapes and charming small towns.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a connection with mother nature, Mount Hood has something for everyone to enjoy year-round.

Looking for more things to do in Portland? Check out my Portland guide for inspiration. ✌️✨