Do you like hiking and amazing views? Then we have some great news and the perfect trail.
The 3 mile out-and-back trail is located near Mount Hood Skibowl and is directly accessible from Highway 26, which is a double-edged sword. The good thing is, you can immediately start hiking once you get out of your car. The parking area is essentially the trailhead.
The not-so-good thing is that parking is very limited. Unless you show up at 6 am or on a weekday, you might have to park in the overflow area, close to Mount Hood Ski Bowl (approximately 1 mile out).
We did not show up at 6 am and we went there on the 4th of July. You know how this story ends… We walked 2 miles more than we had to (oops).
After approximately 1 mile into the woods, we reached the lake. Once we were halfway around the lake, we had the most breathtaking view of Mount Hood and its reflection on the “Mirror Lake” (in case you were wondering where the name comes from). The loop around the lake is less than a mile but it offers some great views and some perfect spots to unwrap and enjoy the sandwich you brought.
The total length of the trail is a little over 3 miles with approximately 780 feet elevation gain. We say it is a family-friendly, dog-friendly, moderate hike.
Cheers and Auf Wiedersehen!
Emilie and Elena
grapesandgravel.com 