WHAT'S NEW?
What's New?
in the Villages of Mt Hood
New Resource for Visitor Information
A new visitor information center has opened at Wy’East Book Shoppe & Art Gallery in Welches. The shop has a large selection of books about Mt Hood botany and wildlife, history, culture, people and recreation so it is an ideal location for the addition of a tourist information center. The info center is located in the shipping center at the store and includes an extensive brochure rack. The bonus is a guest computer with free Internet access, which allows visitors to look up specific information or websites that will enhance their visit to the Villages of Mt Hood. The computer also includes RSS feeds of local and statewide activities and events. Google Earth and links to weather info as well as the most popular travel info websites are easily accessed from the computer desktop, too. Info specialists, John and Trish, are available 7 days a week to answer all of your questions.
Wy'east Book Shoppe & Art Gallery
67195 E Hwy 26
Welches, Oregon
503-622-1623
www.wyeast-online.com
Popular Trail Reopens
Ramona Falls trail (#797) is finally open. The opening of this popular trail was delayed about a month this spring due to the heavy snowfall of this past winter. Most of the trail passes through Mt Hood Wilderness Area, providing a pristine and unspoiled hiking experience. Ramona Falls itself is a jewel at the turn-around point of the loop trail. The Sandy River, a designated Wild and Scenic River, is a dramatic example of the forces that a glacial fed river can bring forth to change the landscape. Physical signs of a volcanic debris flow from over 200 years ago are evident where the trail skirts along the edge of the Sandy River. Even more dramatic are the physical signs of more recent floods in the past two decades.
The round trip distance of the trail is 7 miles, crossing the Sandy River on a seasonal bridge about 1 mile from the trailhead. One mile further, hikers will reach the actual Ramona Falls Loop, which includes sections of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000). The loop follows a more open path along the Sandy River in one direction and a more shaded path along Ramona Creek in the other direction. You can hike the loop either way. Overall the route has a gentle elevation gain of 1000 feet over the 3 1/2 miles to the falls.
Zigzag Ranger Station
Mt Hood National Forest
70220 E Hwy 26
Zigzag, Oregon
503-622-3191
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/recreation/trails/zigzag/zz-rogs/797.pdf
Grand Opening Event
Mt Hood Roasters Coffee Roasting Facility & Gift Shop in Rhododendron is now open Monday thru Saturday from 9am to 4pm for demonstrations, tours and coffee classes. There are several special events planned during August including a Grand Opening on August 30th.
August 2, 10am – Noon: Facility Tour followed by an all-ages hike on the Barlow Trail
August 9, 11am – Noon: Cupping Ceremony featuring Costa Rican estate coffee ($5/person)
August 16, 11am – Noon: Free roasting demonstration
August 23, 11am – Noon: Free facility tour and discussion on “local vs. organic” coffee
August 30, 9am – 4pm: Grand Opening featuring an organic coffee from the Galapagos Islands
Mt Hood Roasters
73455 E. Hwy 26
Rhododendron, Oregon
503-622-6574
August/September 2008 « Back to this issue...
