9th Annual Halloween Costume Hike- Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain (Mount Hood)

Summit photo from our 2024 Halloween costume hike

It’s that time of year again! Our 9th annual costume hike is keeping the tradition of goofy, good-hearted festivity on the Saturday before Halloween. Costumes are enthusiastically encouraged, but not required.

• Difficulty: Moderate-Easy (Super easy to Mirror Lake, fairly easy to the summit ridge)
• Hiking distance: 8 mile roundtrip Elevation gain: 1710 feet
• Total time: I plan for us to be back by early afternoon, but individual vehicles are welcome to stop for food or drinks on the way home
• Total driving distance: 98 miles from NE Portland; If carpooling, I suggest a $10 donation to drivers, unless drivers determine otherwise
• Permits: NW Forest Pass for each vehicle, or $5
• Dogs: Oh yes. I’m always a sucker for a dog in costume.

The plan: We’ll meet at Mirror Lake trailhead at 9 a.m. (Or carpool/caravan from Gateway TC at 8, if you prefer). Let's get moving shortly after 9:15. After hiking up to Mirror Lake, we’ll stop for that calendar-famous photo opp of Mount Hood. Then we’ll hike around the lake, and head up to the summit for those views!

Here is further information about our route: http://www.summitpost.org/tom-dick-and-harry-mountain/150699

• My usual hiking style is fairly brisk (2.5-3.5 mph or faster when not running), athough... Who cares about pace on a costume party hike? But let’s not take all day. We will enjoy short breaks as needed for snacks, photos, and viewpoints.

Bring: Gas money, 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing if your costume is breezy, rain gear and/or umbrella, a camera, and shoes with good traction. Poles could be useful.

It is also recommended that hikers always carry the, um, "ELEVEN" Essentials:

1. Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7. Knife/tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild
11. The waiting (the hardest part...)*

*Happy birthday to the late great Tom Petty, who would've been turning 75 on October 20th

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.