3 Short & Sweet Early-Season Hikes at Mt Hood
Posted by Mt Hood Vacation Rentals | Friday, May 15, 2020
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Shake out the winter cobwebs with these low-distance Mt Hood area hikes As you think about putting away your skis and snowboards and start pulling out your hiking shoes and hydration packs for spring hikes, here are three trails that will get you excited, get your heart pumping and get your legs in shape for longer hikes this summer (2 of these hikes are short versions of longer hikes). Lower elevation trails (2500 feet and below) are free of snow and uncrowded this time of year. |
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Castle Canyon Trail – #765 Castle Canyon Trail offers a good season-starter for a 2-hour hike through lush forest. The steady uphill climb leads to a craggy viewpoint looking out across the Zigzag River Valley. |
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| Elev. Gain | 840 feet, 2435 ft elev at the top |
| Distance | 8/10 mile to the top, out and back trail for a total of 1.6 miles |
| Hiking Time | about 1 hour to the top |
| Trailhead | From the store in Rhododendron, OR – drive west out of the parking lot onto E Arlie Mitchel Road (parallels highway). This road curves to the right /north in 1/10 mile and becomes Henry Creek Road. In 2/10 mile, Henry Creek Road curves to the right; turn left here onto Road 19 (Historic Barlow Road Route) and drive ¼ mile to the end. Trail is on the right ½ mile down Road 19. |
| Highlights | Interesting rock formations at the top; rhododendron in bloom May and June; wild mushrooms in the fall |
| Vacation Rentals Nearby | Moondance Cabin – 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom on the creek, fireplace, hot tub, sleeps 6 Zigzag Mountain Lodge – 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, fireplace, hot tub, pet-friendly, sleeps 10 |
| More Info | http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Pinnacles_Viewpoint http://www.nwhiker.com/MHNFHike13 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=52864&actid=50 |
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Hunchback Mountain Trail – #793 Hunchback Mountain Trail is a 9-mile strenuous trail with over 3000 feet of elevation gain, however, a steep, switchback 1.9 mile hike from the trailhead leads you to a rocky opening with sweeping views of the Welches Valley, the Salmon River and the Cascade Foothills. Turn around and head back to your car for one of your first spring hikes. |
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| Elev. Gain | 2000 feet to the viewpoint; 3270 feet for the 9-mile hike |
| Distance | 1.9 miles to the viewpoint, out and back trail for a total of 3.8 miles |
| Hiking Time | 1 – 2 hours to the viewpoint |
| Trailhead | The trailhead starts in the parking lot at the Zigzag Ranger Station a few hundred feet east of the visitor center |
| Highlights | Thick forest of fir, cedar and hemlock; rhododendron in bloom May and June; panoramic views |
| Vacation Rentals Nearby | Rapid River Retreat – 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom on the river, fireplace, hot tub, pet-friendly, sleeps 8 Cedar Springs Cabin – 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom in secluded setting, fireplace, hot tub, sleeps 6 |
| More Info | http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=53396&actid=50 http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Hunchback_Mountain_Hike |
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Salmon Butte Trail – #791 Salmon Butte Trail is a long view hike perfect for long summer days, however the first 2 1/2 miles gradually meander along an old road bed, making this a moderate and easy early season hike. Build up to the full 12-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Salmon Butte for breathtaking views of the Mt Hood National Forest. |
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| Elev. Gain | 430 feet in the first 2 ½ miles; 3170 feet for the 12-mile hike |
| Distance | 2.5 miles to the spring turn-around, out and back trail for a total of 5 miles |
| Hiking Time | 1 – 2 hours to the turn-around |
| Trailhead | Salmon Butte Trail starts when Salmon River Road ends just past the bridge crossing the river. |
| Highlights | Thick forest of fir, cedar and hemlock; rhododendron in bloom May and June; panoramic views |
| Vacation Rentals Nearby | Cozy Bear Cabin – 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, secluded, woodstove, hot tub, pet-friendly, sleeps 6 Forest View Lodge – 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, secluded, woodstove, hot tub, pet-friendly, sleeps 10 |
| More Info | http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Salmon_Butte_Hike http://nwhiker.com/MHNFHike61 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=53468&actid=50 |
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