The West (Day 21)- Mt. Hood

Instead of taking the quicker, easier-with-a-baby way home we decided to take different route, via Mt. Hood.

Mt. Hood is an active stratovolcano with eleven glaciers on its peak.

It is also one of the most climbed mountains in the world.

It is just an hour from Hood River and an hour from Portland.

Timberline Lodge has been a National Historic Landmark since 1977, just 40 years after it was constructed by WPA employees. 

Because of the harsh climate the project was a challenge.  As many as 100 to almost 500 workers could be found working here in one day.

Inside the lodge is artwork created by skilled artists and craftsmen employed by the WPA sister program, the Federal Arts Project.  The idea was that if unskilled workers worked with skilled ones they may pick up some level of competence.

Outside of the lodge we were expecting more snow.  Yes, it is summer, but Mt. Hood is the only ski resort in North America that offers skiing year round.  Although there is just a small section of snow, and much of the snow appeared dirty, there were plenty of people willing to partake in what the mountain did have to offer.

Not too far from where we parked we had a little picnic before continuing our drive to Astoria, with views of Mt. Hood to our right and Mt. Jefferson to our left.

The Mt. Hood National Forest is green and dense.  It consists of over a million acres of protected forests, mountains, lakes and streams.  It is so beautiful.  If you ever need a place to social distance this may be the place for you.