July, 2000
Located just West of Mt. Hood, and just over an hour East of Portland, rises a trail leading up to McNeil Point. We happened on this trail on accident. Elk Meadows, East of Hood, was flooded out due to snow melts. A gentleman on the trail suggested this trail, adding that we would not regret it. We had no idea how right he was! We did the hike, but had no camera. Add to that the fact that the trail is uphill almost the entire way up...and in the summer months, during snow melts, biting flies and mosquitoes are out in force. Still...we returned two weeks later to do the hike again, without question. If you are ever in Oregon in the summer months, this is a hike that is not to be missed! Luckily, in the later part of July (the second hike), the flies were gone. This was our hike....
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It started out like any other. A winding trail leading up through a forest area... |
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Snow runoff streams lined the mountainside, feeding fields of wildflowers. Unfortunately, due to slight haze and a cheap camera, Mt Adams did not show up in this scan. In the real picture you can just barely see it. On the first hike, we had easy views of Mt Adams, St Helens, Jefferson, and of course, Mt. Hood. |
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Just some of the wildflowers we saw along the way. I have never seen anything like this...both in volumes and colors. No, the colors did not really turn out in this picture. |
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As we climbed out of the first forest area, this was our initial view of Mt Hood. It was at this point the first time that we realized we had no camera, and that we would return SOON so as to get pictures like this one, and the ones to come. |
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You cant see a view like this one and not take a quick pic with this as the background. For close friends and family, don't be surprised if this turns into a Christmas card!!
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Another view of Hood, this time from a bit closer up... |
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Up high, almost to the top, we found this small pond. Mt Hood looms over the area, providing spectacular views. This will easily be the site we choose the first time we try our hands at an overnight hike....just to see the sunset on this mountain, and to see the sunrise on it. |
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At the top is McNeil Point. The point is basically a point in the mountain that also has a shelter on it. This I assume is for winter hikers or for those who get caught up high in bad weather. It is actually ok inside...fireplace, benches, etc. Not where I want to stay though. If you ever get here, look inside...I couldn't help but to add my name to a small list of names on one of the beams. |
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Ally decides to soak in the views briefly. Actually, she was put up there (since she is about 5 feet up on that boulder, and it drops about 150-200 feet on the other side of it), but she didn't seem to mind it. Honestly, I think she is used to it!! All I know is that she truly seems to love the views she is getting to see in Oregon. |
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My two favorite blondes to go hiking with....
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Ally and I take a break from the hike to get a picture in some of the wildflowers...
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And finally....one of the best pictures I have ever taken in this state... Mt. Hood, at just over 11,200 feet. This picture was in the very early stages of the hike. We would end up on the base of Hood, at somewhere around 6,100' elevation, or about halfway up Hood.
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