Day 17: Mt. Hood

PCT Mile 2084 – 2098

Miles Hiked = 14

I slept well last night and was up at 6am this morning. Today I would hike to the Timberline Lodge which is below Mt. Hood. The 1980 movie “The Shining” starring Jack Nicholson used the Timberline Lodge for the external location of the mythical hotel Overlook Hotel.

Soon after I started hiking I enjoyed my best view yet of Mt. Hood, the tallest and best known mountain in Oregon.

An hour later, I had an even better view of the mountain and particularly enjoyed the large meadow in the foreground.

I crossed Highway 26 – a major paved road with a nearby trailhead that had pit toilets and picnic tables!

I already had a room reservation for tomorrow night at the Timberline Lodge but not for tonight. I noticed I had cell service so I called the lodge and was lucky enough to secure the last room for tonight. Yippee!! Tomorrow will be a zero day – my first of this year’s hike!

Soon I entered the Mt. Hood Wilderness

as the trail continued through the forest towards Mt. Hood.

Flower of the Day:

Common Beargrass

This plant is called Common Beargrass and is frequently seen along the Oregon PCT. Common Beargrass is a perennial with three foot long grass-like stems and tall fluffy flowers. It is one of the first plants to regrow after a wildfire. Apparently it gets its name because young bears enjoy eating the grassy stems.

Later in the morning I crossed Barlow Road

Barlow Road

Shortly after noon I made my final approach up a sandy, beach-like trail to the Timberline Lodge. Note the Common Beargrass along the trail.

Mt. Hood

Soon I had my first view of the Timberline Lodge.

A little after 1:00 pm I was checking in at the registration desk in the lobby. Luckily my room was ready so I deposited my backpack into my room and went directly to the bar for a beer and lunch.

Later that evening I went outside and enjoyed the beauty of Mt. Hood as the last rays of the setting sun brightened the uppermost peak.

Mt. Hood

I also took notice of a plaque mounted outside the entrance to the Timberline Lodge.

The Timberline Lodge is a National Historic Landmark and was built and furnished by local artisans during the Great Depression of the 1930’s. It was dedicated in September 1937 by President Franklin Roosevelt.

There is also a ski resort at the Timberline Lodge and, interestingly, it generally has the longest skiing and snowboarding season in the United States – usually twelve months a year. I did see skiers and snowboarders as well as other PCT hikers – an interesting and unusual combination.

Thanks for following!