ROADTRIP FOR THE MOUNT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST (OREGÓN)

Today will be quiet, although no less interesting. Actually the route goes through very cool areas until you reach the Oregon coast, your crown jewel. From there we head south, to make one of the most famous scenic routes in the state, which surrounds its highest mountain, the Mt Hood. This is the second stage of our car trip through Oregon, where we made a roadtrip through the Mount Hood Natonal Forest... And so it went:

This is the map of tour of Mt National Forest:

To be with fully recharged energies, we stopped in a gas station to feed Heisenberg, our rented car (it has a New Mexico license plate, in case you wonder about the origin of the name), and also catch some coffees that we would drink in the waterfront park of Hood River.

At the exit of the town. a few km, we climb to the Panorama Point, a viewpoint from where we contemplate the other side of this area, not the one that overlooks the Columbia River, but the one that shows us the green meadows and full of fruit farms. In fact, the first part of the tour goes through the so-called “fruit loop" We advise you to take the secondary road 281 instead of the most trafficked 35. You will pass through a very nice area of ​​country houses, small fruit farms and vineyards. It is also a good place to stop at one of its organic fruit markets, and if you are in season, take a bag full of fresh fruit.

The area is also famous for lavender fields. From June to September they are full of flowers and the views on a clear day with Mt Hood protruding in the background should be a pass. We say "it must be", because we spent the end of May, and neither flowers nor Mt Hood: the day dawned a bit cloudy and we could not enjoy the colossus of Oregon.

This fact marked us this first part of the day. We planned to stop at Sahalie falls, this if we could fulfill it (they are small waterfalls next to the river, taking a detour on the main road). And then go to Trillium Lake, from where they say, you get the best photos of Mt Hood with the lake in the foreground. We tried to arrive, for the record, but a kind lady stopped us to sell us the day pass ($ 5). We only came to take a couple of photos, and as was the day we prefer to go around and continue until Timberline Lodge.

This mountain refuge was built in the 1930s and, with its 1,830 meters of altitude, today is considered the ski resort with the longest season in the entire country. In fact, when we went, almost June, people were skiing quietly. The refuge has become a resort where you can spend a few nights, or just have a drink or get on the cable car that leads to the highest point over 2,100 meters.

This whole area of Mt Hood National Forest It offers many hiking options, for all levels. Although if we had to choose one, it would be the one that reaches the Tamanawas Falls, on a route of about 6 km in total. We just go through the forest mounted in our stroller, which at this stage of travel (we come from a few weeks in Canada), is what the body asks us. And we certainly enjoy the surroundings.

This scenic route passes in this section to the south of Mt Hood through several small towns, which were once the villages founded by the Pionners, which crossed the country through the Oregon Trail. So remember that you are in a historical part of the foundation of this state.

Another recommended stop is the Wildwood Recreation Site, in the middle of the forest and on the banks of the Salmon River, with a pleasant walk around the wetlands, and a room with a large window that allows you to see in the depth of the river (and hopefully, the odd little fish). Of course, to enter, you have to go through the box office and collect $ 5.

Sandy It is one of the most important towns on the route. When you're there, go up to the Jonsrud Viewpoint to have a privileged view of the Sandy River Valley, where the Pioneers crossed in their final stages of their adventure.

From here we headed towards Cannon beach, bordering the enormous city of Portland (which, curiously, is NOT the capital of Oregon, that is Salem). If you get a little hungry along the way (or are you eating a horse), the best place to stop is Camp 18, a historic restaurant of those that attract your attention only when you see it from the road. But here they serve some giant cinnamon rolls!

We enjoy the route by car through Mount Hood National Forest, and its beautiful and different landscapes.