Majestic Mount Hood is the tallest
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Oregon is the home of many mountain peaks, but none are more impressive than Mount Hood. At 11,235 feet in height, it is the tallest mountain in the State of Oregon and is one of several prominent peaks found on the west coast. It is a popular destination for skiers and also for mountain climbers. For the photographer, it's magnificent profile helps to create some memorable mountain pictures.
The top of the mountain breaks through the clouds as it rises
above the forest timber line which surrounds it. The road shown
is Highway 26 - part of the Mount Hood Loop.
Mount Hood is located about 60 miles east of downtown Portland. Interstate 84 heads eastward from Portland and parallels the Columbia River. Near the town of Gresham, Highway 26 branches off of I-84 and begins the Mount Hood loop (eventually becoming Highway 35 before linking back up with Interstate 84). You can turn off of Highway 26 and drive up the mountain part way to Timberline Lodge (which is approximately 6,600 feet in elevation). This lodge was built in the 1930's and is a National Historic Landmark.
A young pine tree begins to take root at the foot of the mountain. The lush and deep forest which surrounds this beautiful peak offers many opportunities for some great landscape pictures.
View of the historic Timberline Lodge. It was built in the 1930's and sits partway up the slope of the mountain. In the winter, it can be difficult to get to with deep snow levels all around it.
The drive around (and up) this mountain is full of scenic beauty and includes a number of seasonal natural waterfalls flowing down the mountainside. The scenic drive takes you through a deep forest of lush greenery and can give one the sense of being alone in the wilderness. I would recommend stopping several times as you drive around the area just to take a closer look at the mountain scenery and to capture beautiful forest pictures.
There are many natural waterfalls running down the side of the mountain each Spring through early Fall due to the heavy snowfall it receives each Winter.
Waterfalls on Mount Hood and elsewhere are a joy to photograph.
As you drive along the highway during the Fall months, you will notice beautiful splashes of color at lower mountain elevations.
A vertical format photograph showcasing the beautiful Fall colors on the mountain.
If taking pictures of mountains is a favorite pastime of yours, it is difficult to beat this peak for scenic beauty. Many Oregon calendars and postcards feature the Portland city skyline framed by the majestic presence of Mount Hood in the background. Unfortunately, each time I have visited Portland, the sky has been overcast and I have never been able to view this mountain peak from the city.
Oregonians love to talk of the mountain's charm and inspirational appeal. I am looking forward to visiting this beautiful mountain again one day.
The remains of an old growth tree trunk frames this
photograph of the mountain and surrounding forest.
Please visit more of my Oregon pages:
Oregon coast photographs
Oregon main page
Pictures of scenic Bandon, Oregon
Pictures of Portland, Oregon
Oregon lighthouse photographs
Pictures of Oregon waterfalls
Also, check out my page about Seattle:
Seattle skyline photographs
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