Twin Lakes snowshoe hike- Mount Hood
Details
Photo credit to Wade Hewitt of the pups and me, from a previous NW Wilderness trip to Twin Lakes
Snow is falling on Mount Hood all week. Let's make some tracks on Monday!
- Difficulty: Moderate (Mostly flat; But snowshoeing takes more energy than hiking, and there is a smidge of elevation gain)
- Hiking/ snowshoeing distance: 7-9 miles (As usual, I will lengthen or shorten our route on the fly to make our advertised time, based on group pace)
- Elevation gain: 1360 feet
- Total time: Plan to be heading back by early-mid afternoon
- Total driving distance: 115 miles RT; feel free to organize carpools (for example, from the Gateway Transit Center area)
- Permits: Sno Park Permit ($4 for a day pass) http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/vehicle/sno_park_permits.aspx, and ODOT may require chains or traction devices if road conditions warrant them
- Dogs: Yes, but please use your best judgment. Only you know if your dog can handle 7-9 miles in the snow.
The Plan:
Our route will take us to Lower Twin Lake and then Upper Twin Lake, possibly circling the shores of both lakes. We will be treated to mountain hemlocks, silver firs, noble firs, lakeside views, and a cliff-edge viewpoint of Mount Hood and the Historic Barlow Creek Valley.
I reserve the right to modify (lengthen or shorten) my proposed route for pacing reasons, if necessary. For instance, since we had an energetic group last year I extended the loop to 9 miles. Or we could even do more!
Here are more details about the trail we will be using: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=53314&actid=50
- My natural hiking style is fairly brisk (3-3.5 mph or faster when not running), but snowshoe hikes are a bit slower. Anyone who enjoys an energetic hike/ snowshoe at any reasonable pace is welcome. No one will be left behind. We will enjoy short breaks as needed for snacks, photos, and viewpoints. There is no such thing as too many photo opps.
Bring: Snow shoes with a "just in case" plan to strap them to your pack, 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing, a camera, and waterproof shoes/ boots with good traction. Poles could be useful.
It is also recommended that hikers always carry the, un "ELEVEN" Essentials:
- Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
- Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
- Insulation (extra clothing)
- Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
- First-aid supplies
- Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
- Knife/tools
- Nutrition (extra food)
- Hydration (extra water)
- 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.
- The smell of napalm in the morning**
**RIP Robert Duvall. You were one of my favorite actors in film history.
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.