Portland woke up to grey skies and drizzle Monday morning. Great timing for everyone who has a normal work schedule-bad timing for me. Monday is my Saturday! It was time to seek out some vitamin D-and I found just what I was looking for on Mt. Hood.
Just like magic-at the top of highway 26, a quarter mile from Government Camp the skies cleared. In thirty seconds it went from dreary grey to brilliant blue skies. Government Camp is adorable. Lots of ski and snowboard shops, a few restaurants and a couple of hotels. I pulled into a big parking lot near a chair lift and decided to hike. I don't know if hiking alone is the most brilliant idea but I saw a tour bus at the trail head, so I figured I'd run into a gaggle of people on the trail. Never did see anyone. I hiked from Government Camp to Timberline Lodge. It was a gorgeous hike straight uphill. I think I'll be feeling it tomorrow. Looking up I could see the peak of Mt. Hood. Absolutely stunning. I could make out dozens of skiers in the the distance carving their path down the spotty snow that remains (I can't believe people are skiing on August 29th). When I turned around I could see the stubborn white pillow of clouds blanketing most of the Willamette Valley. To the east I could make out enormous smoke plumes from wild fires that are burning thousands of acres in central Oregon. When I was done with my hike I drove back up to Timberline and had a sandwich. I took pictures of the beautiful waterfalls along the drive. What a day! One more bonus-by the time I returned to Portland the sun was out!
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