Mt. Hood Splendor and Birds of Wonder
Mt. Hood Scenic Byway - (Oregon)
| Departure: | Wildwood Recreation Site - Cascade Streamwatch, Oregon |
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| Destination: | Hood River, Oregon |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
The byway rises from the Columbia River through pastoral lands and primeval forests, through the lush National Forest up to Mt. Hood, and down the "dry side" to the fertile agricultural landscape of the Hood River Valley. It combines some of the best of the region's birding with legendary Oregon scenery. Raptors and waterfowl inhabit the river areas; valleys and higher elevation forests feature unique sites for viewing forest birds, songbirds, raptor, migratory and nesting species.
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Start: Wildwood Recreation Site - Cascade Streamwatch
A popular recreation area bordering the Salmon River with mixed conifer and hardwood forest, freshwater wetland and riparian forest. Wetland boardwalk trails and Cascade Streamwatch trails offers opportunities to view many species of waterfowl, forest species and nesting species.
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Stop 1: Lost Creek Campground/ Nature Trail & Old Maid Flats
Directions from previous place: Continue east along Hwy 26 through Welches to Zig Zag. Turn left onto Lolo Pass Road. After 4 miles, turn right onto Forest Road 1828 and go .6 miles and bear right across bridge on Forest Road 1825. Continue until road ends at campground.
Distance from Previous Site: 7 miles / 11.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Old Maid Flats was formed by a mudflow off the west flank of Mt. Hood 250 years ago, and is now an open stand of lodgepole pine with pockets of huckleberry, moss and ferns. Lost Creek Campground has paved, accessible trail along creek through dense mature mixed conifer forest. Includes populations of forest breeding species, nesting and waterfowl.
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Stop 2: Timberline Lodge and Ski Area
Directions from previous place: Return to Hwy 26 and continue east. Turn left onto Timberline Road in Government Camp and travel 6 miles to Timberline Lodge.
Distance from Previous Site: 22.5 miles / 36.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 45 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 4 hours Rich, historic site providing an opportunity to drive to an alpine area on a paved road. Take chair-lift ride to explore higher elevation slopes and bird species on edge of snowfields. Many species can be seen from inside the lodge windows with Mt. Hood in background.
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Stop 3: Trillium Lake/Summit Meadow
Directions from previous place: Return back down Timberline Road and continue east on Hwy 26 for 2 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 2650, signed to Trillium Lake and travel 2 miles to the lake.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Trillium Lake, a summer and winter recreation mecca, offers a stunning and picturesque view of Mt. Hood. There are trails with boardwalks around the lake. The best birding is at the north end of the lake where trail meanders through forest and wetlands. Look for forest and wetland species, waterfowl, bald eagle, and osprey on the lake.
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Stop 4: Sahalie Falls
Directions from previous place: Return back to Hwy 26 and continue east to intersection of Hwy 35. Travel 8 miles to left on Forest Road 3545, which is marked with Hood River Meadows and Sahalie Falls directional sign.
Distance from Previous Site: 10 miles / 16.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Sahalie Falls is a perennial horsetail waterfall fed by the Newton Clark Glacier and flows into the east fork of the Hood River. Sahalie Falls Loop is a portion of the historic Mt. Hood Loop Hwy completed in 1924. There is an old stone bridge below falls with a beautiful view. The high elevation and mixed conifer forest with its wet brushy meadow provide excellent viewing forest species in the area.
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Stop 5: Tamanawas Falls Trail
Directions from previous place: Continue north along Hwy 35. Turn on Forest Road 44, which is marked with sign to Tamanawas Falls for the 1.5 miles to trailhead.
Distance from Previous Site: 7 miles / 11.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Tamanawas Falls is 100 feet high and 40 feet wide, and can be accessed by hiking the 2-mile trail. Riparian habitat and mature mixed-conifer forest along trail to falls. A stretch of river hosts nesting waterfowl, songbirds, and migratory species.
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Stop 6: Toll Bridge County Park
Directions from previous place: Return to Hwy 35 and continue north. Turn left on Toll Bridge Road and travel .5 miles to the park.
Distance from Previous Site: 12 miles / 19.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours This riparian forest features large conifers and cottonwood trees along the East Fork of Hood River and is good for spring migrant songbirds and waterfowl.
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End: Hood River
Directions from previous place: Continue north along Hwy 35 to the junction of Hwy 30. Take a left onto Hwy 30, go over the bridge to 2nd Street and take a right. Go over the freeway and take a right towards the visitor center and park. Explore the area with the pedestrian bridge access.
Distance from Previous Site: 13 miles / 20.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours The sand/gravel bar at the mouth of the Hood River is a migration stop for shorebirds and a concentration point for waterfowl and raptors. Downstream from the mouth of Hood River, "The Hook" is a land peninsula that surrounds a backwater slough of the Columbia River. It is surrounded by cottonwood trees and good viewing for wintering waterfowl and bald eagle.
