Fresh Mountain Air is Just the Beginning

You can’t wait to visit the Villages of Mt. Hood for the year’s first spring adventure, but you’ve only got a few dollars for fun?  Come on up.  There’s a lot to do that costs little or nothing.

Get Twitterpated

Birds are getting out and about for the spring, too. With a pair of binoculars and a bird guide, you could be spotting bald eagles, ring-necked ducks, red-breasted nuthatches, herons and mallards, to name only a few. Lost Creek Campground and Nature Trail and Old Maid Flats are a frequent choice for birders.  Or perhaps it’s fish you’d like to spot – on your fishing line!  The Fly Fishing Shop in Welches has a huge selection of flies and other supplies if your tackle box needs a little something.  Bring a sandwich and a thermos and you’re all set for a day of angling on the nearby Sandy River.

Hike It Or Bike It

Have a pair of hiking boots? Check out our story on waterfalls  in this issue for refreshing hike destinations or stopping places.  Or has your bike been stuck in the basement all winter? It might be time to ride.  If you want a shorter trip or have a little cyclist with you, try the paths of Wildwood Recreation Area, which include scenic loops of about one mile each:  the Cascade Streamwatch Loop or the Wetlands Loop.  When a longer spin beckons, head for a ride along the Salmon River Road, which includes a steep stretch or two.

Bring Along a Picnic

Wildwood Park is also a local favorite for picnics.  Drop by the handy grocery stores in The Villages of Mt Hood to fill your basket, and have an extra $5 handy for the per-car access fee to this Bureau of Land Management site.  There are picnic tables all along the park’s Salmon River frontage that are great for family fun. If you’re thinking ahead of time about bringing a big group for a special event, shelters with tables and running water are available for a fee with advance reservations.  Take a stroll along the scenic loops afterward.  You can also access more strenuous hikes including Boulder Ridge and the Huckleberry Wilderness.  There’s good birdwatching at Wildwood Park, too!

It's All Inspiring

Try a road trip to the interesting historical areas hidden all through The Villages.  Any of the roads around Alder Creek are good for scenic drives with a story.  Find Marmot, where the big Aschoff Mountain Home hotel stood till 1931.  Or drive down Sleepy Hollow Road, 2 miles past Alder Creek on the north side of Hwy 26, where highwaymen used to hold up travelers in the mid 1800’s.  A replica of the last tollgate operated on the Barlow Road is just east of Rhododendron, 3.7 miles east of the stoplight at US Hwy 26 and Welches Road.

If it’s the third Thursday of the month, join the Wy’East Book Shoppe and Art Gallery’s book group at 7pm.  Call them at 503-622-1623 for the current selection.  All are welcome and the book group is free.  So is the chance to look at the artwork in the latest gallery show.

You see there’s something for everyone on any budget in The Villages of Mt Hood. Take a look at our article on lodgings that fit a budget for a good place to rest after your busy day.