Summer at Mt. Hood Meadows

As many of you know, I plan my spring and summer hikes around locations where wildflowers are blooming.  This summer I hit many of the well-known wildflower trails near home.  Surprisingly one of the best color shows I encountered was on the slopes of my local ski resort. 

Hike No. 1 - Wildflowers brighten the ski slopes

Every winter, I spend many happy days days zipping down the ski runs at Mt. Hood Meadows.  But in the past, when summer rolled around, it wasn't a place I visited much.  Although the Timberline Trail cut through the middle of this resort, I'd never explored much beyond it.  Then a few years ago, Mt. Hood Meadows management decided to build a network of hiking trails within its permit area and open the resort for summer recreation.

No. 1 - Recently bloomed asters

Now every summer I try to plan some hikes through the "familiar-to-me" ski trails of Mt. Hood Meadows.  Most people probably think ski runs are dull, barren wastelands during summer months.  While that may be true of some ski resorts, it certainly isn't at Meadows.

No. 1 - Wonderful color spot

There's a reason this resort is named "Mt. Hood Meadows."  During summer months its ski runs transform into lovely wildflower meadows.  The wildflower show here normally starts about mid-July and lasts throughout the summer until early September.  This year I took three hikes at Mt. Hood Meadows, and each visit was just as stunning.  I really want to share some of the wonderful color I found.  So I've compiled the best photos from each hike and put them together in one mega-blog post just for you readers.

No. 1 - Mt Hood was lookin' good too

My first Meadows hike was on July 26th.  Good friends Debbie and Barry came along and we did a loop that encompassed trails on both the east and west sides, linked together by a jaunt on the Timberline Trail.

No. 1 - Flowers just starting to bloom under the Stadium lift

Although we could tell there were lots of wildflowers yet to bloom, the orange Indian paintbrush, lupine, and Western Pasque flower seed heads were prolific and lovely.  My friends and I had a wonderful time walking through several technicolor meadows.  Goldenrod, asters, fireweed, and a few other species were nearly ready to pop open.  I made a mental note to plan a return trip very soon.

No. 1 - Fireweed just getting started

As it turned out, I was back a week later with my buddy Kim.  Accompanying me for many of my winter ski trips she was eager to see what our local resort looked like sans snow.

Hike No. 2 - One week later and lots of wildflowers in bloom!

And boy what a difference a week can make!  For hike number two, there were tons of wildflowers in full, colorful bloom.  I think we caught things at peak.

No. 2 - The fireweed was thick!

A field of fireweed that wasn't quite ready the week prior was now in a full, dazzling pink frenzy.

No. 2 - Pink blast of color

Not only the fireweed, there were many more Western pasque flower seed heads dotting the ski slopes.  I love these mop-headed flowers.  They have many nicknames, but my favorite is "hippy on a stick."

No. 2 - Western Pasque flower seed head

Walking under the main chairlift, Kim and I were treated to fields upon fields of orange Indian paintbrush and purple lupine all in maximum bloom stage.

No. 2 - Mariposa lilies

Another great thing about the day we were there, a thin layer of clouds kept things a bit cooler and provided nice even light, perfect for photography.  

No. 2 - Orange Indian paintbrush was prolific!

Enjoy the next few photos of the flowerful meadows at Mt. Hood Meadows.

No. 2 - Paintbrush and lupine

No. 2 - Lotsa lupine

No.2 - A butterfly enjoying the bloom

I've been trying to get Kim interested in hiking with me, and after that day I think I made a convert!  

No. 2 - Purple streaks in this meadow

Not only did Meadows open their restrooms and cafeteria, serving food and drink to hungry hikers, they also ran one of their ski lifts, taking hikers straight to the higher elevation trails.  For a price, people could get up to the alpine areas without a lot of effort.  

Riding the ski lift back down

For season pass holders, the lift ride was free.  Since Kim and I have had seasons passes for like forever, we took advantage of this perk and rode the lift back down when we were finished with our hike.

Look ma, no skis!

We both agreed it was weird to be riding a ski lift downhill without skis strapped to our feet!  

Hike No. 3 - End of August and wildflowers were still blooming up high

My final visit of the summer season was about two weeks ago, on August 26th.  Debbie and Barry wanted to check out the bloom higher up on the mountain, and I was curious to try some of the upper trails that I'd never before hiked.  So back I went to Mt. Hood Meadows for a third time.

No. 3 - Flower-filled gully

Although the lower meadow flowers were just about finished, my friends and I found lots of wildflowers still blooming above the Timberline Trail.

Mt Hood Express lift without snow

After climbing past trails we'd already hiked, Debbie, Barry and I started climbing up a trail called "Wizards Way" which took us up an amazing flower-filled gully.

Barren, rocky slope under the lift

Then we passed by the top of the Mt. Hood Express lift.  I'd never before seen this lift not surrounded by snow.  At a much higher elevation, was a bit bleak up here.  Lots of rocky slopes and not many wildflowers.

No. 3 - Goldenrod still blooming well

My friends and I ended up climbing a bit higher than Mt. Hood Express.  However, the trail wound through an extremely rocky area and it was hard to find our path.  A few areas were so steep we had to use our hands to climb.  There was no shade, and with the sun beating down upon our heads everyone was tiring fast.  We finally turned back near the 7000 foot elevation mark.

No matter, the flowers were much better below 6500 feet anyway.  Goldenrod, fireweed, asters, and pearly everlasting were the stars on this day.

No. 3 - Fireweed is hanging on

Many ski areas open their slopes to mountain biking during the summer months.  I'm so grateful that Mt. Hood Meadows has instead catered their summer activities towards hikers.  I couldn't bear to see these beautiful slopes torn up by bikers.  Stopping back at the lodge after our hike, I thanked one of the workers for creating such a wonderful place for hiking.  Each time I've visited, I made sure to buy some food and drink from their snack bar - I want to support the ski area and ensure these summer activities continue!

No. 3 - Lots of color under the lift now!

It's been a great summer and I have many more wildflower hike photos to share.  Hopefully I'll have time to post a few more of them before I get busy with fall color hikes.