Top 10 Amazing Facts about the Mount Hood National Forest

Top 10 Amazing Facts about the Mount Hood National Forest

The Mount Hood National Forest is located in the state of Oregon, 62 miles east of Portland. It is named after Mount Hood, a potentially active volcano, which is the highest mountain in the state of Oregon. The forests cover a large area extending from Willamette River valley to Columbia River Gorge. The national forest comprises of lakes, streams, forested mountains, and the high lake basin located under the slopes of Mt. Jefferson.

The forest covers 1,067,053 acres and is divided into four districts, Clackamas River, Zigzag, Hood River, and Barlow. Its main headquarters are in Sandy, Oregon. These top ten facts will equip the reader with incredible information about Mount Hood National Forest.

1. The Forest is one of the most popular destinations for sightseeing in the country

Mount Hood from Lake Trillium-Picture by U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region on Wikimedia

The forest gets more than four million visitors each year, both local and from different parts of the country. Therefore, this means that the national forest is popular. The expansive area covered by the forest allows tourists to experience eight different wilderness areas and other natural features like lakes and mountains that they would not get in one place in other tourist attraction sites.

2. The tourist attraction site has an extensive hiking trail

Hikers at Timberline trail by U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region–Wikimedia

Outdoor enthusiasts frequent Mount Hood National Forest because it offers an array of hiking options where visitors can choose one that is ideal for them. Some of the hiking trails that visitors can consider include Mirror Lake Trail, which is 2.1 miles long. The trail is characterised by more than 700 feet of incline and thus provides an intense workout as one climbs up. The climb is worth it because one will see Mount Hood dominating the view.

Additionally, there is Trillium Lake Loop which is a two-mile trail. The trail is short and ideal for beginners as they will take in the scenic sites without getting tired. Photographers often prefer this trail as it has good views. The Timberline Trail also offers a challenging experience in that the trail spans 38 miles. It takes the hikers deep into the wilderness and, in the process, goes around Mount Hood. Other hiking trails include Tamanawas Falls and Mount Defiance.

3.  Visitors get a chance to climb Mount Hood

The peak of Mount Hood- Photo byU.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region on  Wikimedia

One of the best features that tourists like to experience when they visit Mount Hood National Forest is a chance to climb the mountain that the forest is named after. Climbing the mountain is a challenging ascent, and therefore, only adventurous people usually climb up the mountain.

A tourist must have a wilderness permit to be permitted to attempt climbing up to the top. The permits are free and are available at the Timberline Day Lodge. It takes about seven hours to complete a climb up to the summit of Mount Hood.

4.  The national forest has a map to guide visitors

Driving in the national forest can be a hassle because there are several routes that one can use. Therefore, this may confuse the tourists on which way they should take. Additionally, the park also closes some roads in other seasons, making it hard for visitors to know which road is functional.

As a result, the park has a map that visitors can download onto their smartphones so that it can guide them on which road to use. The maps are critical in ensuring that tourists reach their destination safely.

5. The Forest Service has a program that is geared towards habitat protection

The United States Forest Service is tasked with governing the tourist attraction site. To ensure that the forest ecosystem is protected, the forest service pursues a comprehensive habitat restoration and a protection strategy that targets the Collawash River, Hot Spring Fork, and other small water sources. The program monitors aquatic life in the rivers and ensures aquatic restoration when needed.

6. Camping in the wilderness

One of the campsites at Mount Hood National Forest-Wikimedia

Camping is quite popular in Mount Hood National Forest. This is because the forests have more than 100 campgrounds within their borders. The campgrounds are divided into normal campsites where tourists set up tents. There are other campsites where RVs can park and those for large groups like scouts and youth groups.

The variety in camping options allows visitors to pick one that they feel will enable them to experience the outdoors more and fully relax.

7.  Skiing in Mount Hood National Forest

Visitors skiing at the national forest-Wikimedia

Skiing is popular in the national forest during winter. An example of a ski resort in a tourist attraction site is Mount Hood Skibowl. The resort brings out a playground feel with five tows and four double chair lifts.

The resort is known for night skiing throughout the winter season. This creates a unique experience for the guests because few places offer such opportunities. During the summer, the resort switches and facilitate activities such as ziplining, horseback riding, and cycling

8.  Bark and the public forum

Bark is a non-profit organisation that works towards the preservation of Mount Hood National Forest. The park organises public forums where members of the community are invited to contribute ideas on how they can ensure that the park is protected in terms of cubbing commercial logging that goes on in the forest.

9.  Wilderness areas

Mount Hood National Forest has eight designated wilderness areas which take up 311,448 acres of the national forest. The wilderness areas are regions that have not been influenced by human activity. By having designated wilderness areas, the forest service ensures that they preserve the existing environment and promote natural expression as well as development.

The designated areas include Bull of the Woods Wilderness, Badger Creek Wilderness, Clackamas Wilderness, Mark Hartfield Wilderness, Lower White River Wilderness, Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, Roaring River, and Mount Hood Wilderness.

10.  Mount Hood Cultural Centre and Museum

The national forest has a museum that offers critical insight nineteenth-century of the area. The information acquired can be used to analyse the changes that have taken place in terms of the region’s ecosystem and what can be done to ensure that it does not negatively affect the national forest.

Additionally, the museum shows exhibit that detail which was the early pioneers to explore Mount Hood and the artefacts used at those times.