Hiking in the Hood

We've had quite the sunny stretch of weather, which is supposed to be coming to an end. My friend Shelley, who didn't go to Mt. Hood to snowboard yesterday because it was getting too icy, called looking for a hiking buddy. Lloyd was in Aleve mode, with his knee still recovering from Saturday's kayak roll practice followed by a moonlight ski adventure (on crusty snow), was happy to pass. SO it was just us girls, Shelley and I plus Brindle and Kenosha, Shelley's dog. We started hiking up the hill behind the hospital, and spent the next 3 plus hours following switchbacks up to 1600 ft, where we hit remnant snow fields, then found our way to a trail back down. Great discussions on a vast range of subjects. We had some great views, which I will share.

The hospital in at the bottom of this hill. You are looking out over Bingen, and the bridge to Hood River. Portland is 60 miles downriver. Here is White Salmon. The snow you can still see in on Underwood Mt. We see that from our house, which is on the far side of that lump called Strawberry Mt. The White Salmon River runs between the two. It was a beautiful day to be outside. We had a few streams to ford. The runoff has created some lovely waterfalls along the trails. Shelley promises more hikes to come, unless of course she gets a job. Like many other people who populate this area, she works on contracts that she tries to fit around snowboard seasons and windsurfing season. Dang that work can really get in your way!