Hiking around Mt Hood

Mt Hood in reflection at 4:45am

One of the perks of getting out early on Fridays in the summer is that I get more time to explore the wilderness all around Portland.  This past weekend, I decided to head back to one of my favorite places, Mt Hood and hike around and up part of the mountain.  The goal was to get to McNeil Point, a small stone resting hut at 6100 feet.  Along the way, epic views of Mt Hood were expected, and yet, it was definitely darkly cloudy straight ahead, not the best omen for camping out overnight up top.  Still, the hike was glorious and the views around by the stone hut were awesome.  It was a steep climb up there, which was great to get the legs moving and the blood pumping.  Here are some first few pictures from the hike: 

Hiking up and looking across a ravine at the base of Mt Hood sloping up to the left

Loving the hike, full of epic views all around

McNeil Point, with views of Mt St Helens and Mt Adams, and oh so close to Mt Hood, with no peak visibility

I waited around for the mountain to show itself, teasing me among the clouds:

Mt Hood starting to break through

Mt Adams in the distance

Great views looking down from 6100 feet

 

From McNeil Point, I hiked down to a couple of ponds to camp for the night, angling the tent opening towards the mountain to wake up to great views.  And man, did that happen!  I first peaked out at 4:45am and as you can see, it was amazing.  Plenty of light already, and a perfect reflection in the pond right outside my tent.  Amazing!