Mt. Hood, taken from Highway 35

One of the great things about Oregon is that it has wonderful beaches, and mountains too.

Oregon Scenic Byway

My sister, my dad, and I drove the Oregon Scenic Byway loop from Portland east on Highway 26 to Mt. Hood, circling the mountain to the east, then heading north on Highway 35 to Hood River, and back westbound into Portland on I-84.

Little Crater Lake on Mt Hood

Our first stop was Little Crater Lake, a spot on Mt Hood that I had not seen before.  We had packed a picnic, and ate at the Bear Springs Campground.

The very well constructed picnic shelter at Bear Springs on Mt. Hood

We saw the Barlow Road marker (one of the last legs of the Oregon Trail) and made another stop at Frog Lake.  Frog Lake features prominently in my childhood memories.  We would go swimming in the lake in the summer when I was little.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barlow_Road

Me and my dad at Frog Lake on Mt Hood

On highway 35, traveling north from the mountain, you end up in Hood River. Hood River used to mean apples, but now it is known more as a windsurfing destination.

Entering Hood River County

Entering Hood River from the south on Highway 35, you see this sign.

Mt. Hood, taken from Hood River with orchards in the foreground.

Welcome to Hood River, the windsurfing destination of choice in Oregon

We didn’t get to Timberline Lodge this time, or the Columbia Gorge Hotel.  I’ll have to save those for another trip.

Mt. Hood Scenic Loop