What Mt. Hood is known for

Located in northern Oregon in the United States of America, the Mt. Hood Destination is named after the tallest mountain in the state, though a small city with the same name is situated nearby. Mt. Hood (or Mount Hood) is a "potentially active stratovolcano" that is approximately 50 miles away from Portland, though the city is not within the limits of the Mt. Hood Destination. The mountain has experienced slight controversy surrounding its exact height, with three measurements placing it at 11,249 feet, 11,240 feet, or 11,239 feet tall. The peak of the mountain contains 12 named glaciers and snowfields. One of the reasons why people visit Mount Hood is to participate in skiing. There are a total of six ski areas throughout the mountain: Ski Bowl, Cooper Spur, Snow Bunny, Timberline, Mount Hood Meadows, and Summit. Including all of these areas, there are roughly 4,600 acres of skiable land. Timberline is of particular note due to the fact that it contains the only lift-served skiing in North America that is open year-round.[2]

The Mt. Hood Destination is not home to any metropolitan areas or sizeable cities, though there are still communities that have an arrangement of attractions and events. To the southeast of Mt. Hood can be found the city of Madras, which has a population of nearly 8,000. The city's self-proclaimed features are "views of the Cascade Mountain Range," in addition to activities such as fishing, golfing, hiking, water sports, and cycling. Specific attractions in or around Madras include the Erickson Aircraft Collection, the Palisades at Lake Billy Chinook, and the Indian Head Casino. The town's primary airport, the Madras Airport, was once a World War II training base for B-17 pilots. Various annual events are hosted there to provide support for the suppression of wildland fires. For an airport that operates in a commercial capacity, visitors can utilize the Redmond Municipal Airport to the south.[4]

Much of the landmass of the surrounding region is comprised of forests, mountains, hills, and other geographical features. Near Mount Hood itself can be found the Mt. Hood National Forest, which has more than a million acres of forested lakes and mountains. Not surprisingly, the national forest is known for producing large quantities of firewood, Christmas trees, berries, and ingredients for medicines. Mt. Hood National Forest supports camping in one of the dozens of campgrounds on the premises, though the forest officials ask that visitors only use downed firewood and that they don't eat excessive quantities of mushrooms or berries.[6]

Geography

With an overall relative lack of urbanization, the Mt. Hood Destination features various outdoor recreational areas and notable geographical attractions. The namesake of the destination is the tallest mountain in the state of Oregon, Mt. Hood, which is home to multiple skiing and hiking opportunities. The Mt. Hood National Forest surrounds the mountain and contains over a million acres of forested land. There are a number of small lakes in the destination, and the upper border of the area comes into contact with the Columbia River that passes by Portland, Oregon, to the west.[6]

The Mt. Hood Destination's northern boundary includes Arlington to the east before following the Columbia River until the outer reaches of Portland. The destination does not include the city proper, instead curving around it and stretching southbound until it reaches a small unincorporated community called Lacomb. The southern point of the region is the city of Culver. Mt. Jefferson is another notable mountain in the destination, situated almost directly south of Mt. Hood. Jefferson is the second-highest peak in Oregon, though some professional climbers have described it to be "the most difficult of the higher volcanoes (above 10,000 feet)." The upper levels of the mountain have steep, icy slopes, so it is recommended that the mountain be climbed in late spring when there is a decent amount of snow, reducing the chances of rockfall.[7]

The various elevations in the Mt. Hood Destination lead to a similarly diverse set of climate conditions. As an example, the peaks of the two most prominent mountains in the region reach sub-freezing temperatures throughout most of the year, whereas a city such as Biggs Junction, located near the Columbia River, sees snow only from November to March. The average temperatures for the town range from 84 degrees Fahrenheit down to 27 degrees, though more extreme temperatures are possible based on the year. Rain typically occurs about 112 days annually, adding up to an approximately 1/3 chance of rain on any given day. The weather in Biggs Junction is described to be "comfortable" and "agreeable" in May and September, respectively.[5]

As one would expect, the vast amount of wilderness present in the destination is home to a variety of animals and plants. There are northern spotted owls, elk, and cougars that roam the area, most specifically in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Berries, mushrooms, and other types of natural edible plants are also present in the forest. Ongoing work by the National Forest Foundation has been centered around maintaining sustainable recreation opportunities and protecting wildlife. The organization reports that its goal is "to help balance both wildlife habitat protection and the ecosystem services the forest provides with ever-increasing recreational demands." In other words, they are hoping to continue serving hikers, backpackers, and others while still protecting the environment of Mt. Hood National Forest.[6]

History

Native Americans have an extensive history in the Mt. Hood Destination, with multiple tribes that were gathered within sight of Mt. Hood before European settlers set foot on American soil. One of the area's modern groups of Native people is the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, which is the second-largest reservation in the state of Oregon. The confederation was originally three separate tribes, namely the Wasco, Warm Springs, and Paiute bands of people. For centuries the three tribes remained distinct, with the Paiute band being the most reclusive of the three. Hunting, gathering, and fishing were the means by which these tribes sustained themselves; however, by the mid-1800s the tribes were forced into a series of treaties, losing much of their land and consolidating together. The clash in cultures was an ongoing obstacle for the Native people, and it wasn't until 1934 that the three tribes were formally merged into the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, a reservation that currently is comprised of 644,000 acres of land.[8]

Mt. Hood National Forest is another designated place in the region with an extensive history. The forest was first established as the Cascade Range Forest Reserve in the year 1893 before an abundant source of water flowing from the mountain's west side was utilized in order to "quench the thirst of the growing city of Portland." The forest would be renamed the Oregon National Forest in 1908 before people settled on the name Mt. Hood National Forest in 1924. The region was home to many natural resources that helped as populations began to increase within the state. Timber, rivers, and salmon helped to provide construction materials, hydropower, and food. Over time, the national forest has become a destination for outdoor recreation, with hiking, horseback riding, and camping acting as a few examples of possible activities. Current efforts of the National Forest Foundation are centered around maintaining the park's need for a healthy ecosystem with the public's desire to visit the area.[6]