MAZAMA TRAIL / MT. HOOD

Typically, we work our way up to the higher elevation hikes on Mt. Hood each year as the snow recedes, starting with Salmon Butte and Burnt Lake. This year, however, winter storms ravaged many mountain areas, washing out a number of roads, trails and bridges which closed access to several of these mid-elevation hikes. As sea-level dwellers in Portland, most of our spring hikes are not higher than 2000-3000 feet. As such, jumping up to 3500' to 6000' was a stretch yesterday on our first Mazama Trail hike on the northwest side of the mountain. Although only 8.4 miles RT with a 2500' overall gain isn't unusual, at 5000-6000' some suffering was involved for us. We really had to earn this hike, but were rewarded in spades with the many mountain splendors.

The first reward waited at the meadows where blueberries were profuse this year - the short, ground-hugging bushes produce a unique tasting, somewhat musky flavored fruit that lingers in memory for months. The season is short but totally sweet.

Approaching the #600 trail at 6000 feet, the oddest mushrooms were present. Like orange and salmon colored footballs with strange dots, they appeared as Alice-in-Wonderland-sized Easter eggs partially hidden throughout the area. Many were clustered together in odd configurations, like tousled oven buns.

Mt. Hood views were quite dramatic, as usual, but this year something was different about it's appearance. The mountain face in past years displayed multiple shades of tans, grays, mauve's and blacks, dotted with the glacial ice fields. This year a rather uniform graphite colored surface covers the entire mountain, looking almost as if it had been dusted with the color. A curious sight, we wondered whether erosion from last year's heavy rains (those which created such havoc with slides and flows) might not be the cause of the newly exposed rock. IF ANYONE KNOWS THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THIS INTERESTING CHANGE IN APPEARANCE, A COMMENT AT THE END OF TODAY'S BLOG WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. Magical moments still seize the imagination and spirit in the powerful presence of this giant of the sky.

Returning down trail, two chicken-like grouse walked ahead of us for a few minutes before fading silently into the landscape. Usually, we see them in trees or hear only the "hooomp, hooomp" sounds in the spring, but this ground sighting is a first

Piercing blue skies with a few puffy clouds were prevalent throughout the morning and into mid-afternoon. Returning to our car, additional clouds were gathering, but they did not appear threatening. Driving down Lolo Pass Road within a half hour or so, we expected to see the usual full view of Mt. Hood to the east. Instead, the entire mountain was engulfed in dark and ominous looking clouds and totally obscured from view. We all know the weather on peaks can change very quickly and dramatically, but it's always surprising when it occurs this rapidly. A reality check for those of us who might sometimes wonder why we're carrying the additional load of all that "stuff" on a gorgeous day.