Mount Hood is a possibly active stratovolcano and Oregon’s highest mountain. It is also one of the condescending mountains in the nation based on its reputation. It is located 50 miles east-southeast of Portland, on the border between Clackamas and Hood River counties. Its peak is home to 12 named glaciers and snowfields. It is the peak point in Oregon and the fourth-highest in the Cascade Range.
Let us know more about the history of Mount Hood and the current popular spots you can visit here on your next travel to Oregon.
History of Mount Hood
Mount Hood was called Wy’east by the Multnomah tribe. There are legends about the formation of Mount Hood. One is about the two sons of the Great Spirit Sahale, namely Wy’east and Pahto, who both fell in love with the beautiful damselLoowit. The maiden could not decide which to choose from the two, that’s why the two braves battled over her and burned forests and villages. Because of this, Sahale became furious and struck the three lovers. When he saw what he had done, he erected three mountain peaks to mark where each one fell. These became Mount St. Helens for Loowit, Mount Hood for Wy’east, and Mount Adams for Pahto.
Mount Hood was given its name on October 29, 1792, by a member of Captain George Vancouver’s exploration expedition, Lt. William Broughton. While he was at Belle Vue Point of Sauvi Island during his travels up the Columbia River, he observed the mountain’s peak. He wrote that it’s a very high and snowy mountain that rises beautifully amid a broad tract of low or moderately elevated land. He named it after Samuel Hood, the first Viscount Hood and a British Admiral at the Battle of the Chesapeake.
In 1805, the mountain was spotted by Lewis and Clark. Clack observed the mountain according to his writing, it is the pinnacle of the round-topped mountain which they saw in a short distance below the banks of the river. During that time, it was topped with snow, and they called it the Falls Mountain or Timm Mountain. Timm is the native name for Celilo Falls. Later, Clark noted that it was also Vancouver’s Mount Hood.
In 1818, there were two French explorers from the Hudson’s Bay Company who traveled into the Dog River area which is east of Mount Hood. Based on their report, they climbed a glacier on “Montagne de Neige” which was probably Eliot Glacier.
The last three eruptions at Mount Hood happened within the past 1,800 years. The last eruptive period of Mount Hood took place around 220 years ago, including the last major eruption of 1781 to 1782. The latest minor eruptive event at Mount Hood happened in August 1907. There have been several earthquake swarms every year at Mount Hood since 1950 and the most notable were in July 1980 and June 2002. The USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, which is in Vancouver, Washington,observes its seismic activity, and they issue weekly updates.
Current Popular Spots at Mount Hood
Here are the current popular spots you can visit at Mount Hood:
Mount Hood Scenic Loop
This is a beautiful river-and-mountains drive that takes in Portland, Hood River, and Mount Hood National Forest. The first stretch of Mount Hood Scenic Loop connects the state’s largest city, Portland, with villages and waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge. This road heads toward the mountain, leading past agricultural land and the Hood River Valley. Mount Hood Scenic Loop is also called the Mount Hood Highway. It also passes many historical sites, communities, and attractions like the Salmon River Recreation Site.
Hood Meadows Ski Resort
This ski resort offers a wide range of skiing and snowboarding terrain. All of the terrains here are accessible by 11 lifts including five high-speed quads. There are also concerts, guided tours, and as well as clinics offered here throughout the seasons. You can also find stay and play packages at nearby hotels and lodging.
Hood Skibowl
Mt. Hood Skibowl is another local ski resort that offers a winter playground with four double chair lifts and five tows. This resort is popular for its night skiing throughout the season. If you visit this ski resort during summer, it turns into adventure thrills such as mountain biking, ziplining, and horseback riding.
Hood Cultural Center and Museum
Aside from skiing, you can also visit a museum at Mount Hood. This museum will tell you the mid-19th-century history of the area. It features exhibits detailing earlier pioneers who traveled Mount Hood, artifacts, and as well as the evolution of skiing on the mountain. You can also host a group event in this cultural center and museum because it has a spacious clubhouse and meeting room that can be rented.
Timberline Lodge
If you are looking for a place to stay in at Mount Hood, Timberline Lodge is one of the best places you can choose.
This is a mountain lodge on the south side of Mount Hood. It was constructed by the Works Progress Administration from 1936 to 1938 and was built and prepared by local artisans during the Great Depression. It was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 28, 1937. In 1977, Timberline Lodges was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
From its depression-era beginnings, Timberline Lodge grew into a prominent part of the national forest. This lodge has modern amenities, but much of its décor and design has been preserved for the last 80 years. It means that when you visit and stay here, you will experience a step back in history. If you’re a fan of movies, Timberline Lodge might look familiar to you. It’s because it was used as the exterior of the hotel in The Shining movie by Stanley Kubrick.
Aside from being a lodge, Timberline lodge is also a hub of activity. During summer, you can hike both the Timberline Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. During winter, it has a ski area that operates seven lifts to access mainly beginner and intermediate runs.
Mount Hood is indeed a wonderful place to visit in Oregon all year round. You can find in its national forest beautiful waterfalls, hot springs, and glaciers. In the winter, you can enjoy the snow and slopes, and during summer, you can do activities on the evergreen landscape of Mount Hood such as hiking and climbing.
