cross country skiing and snowshoeing in
Mt. Hood, Oregon
Drive to xc ski or snowshoe in the more than 200 miles of trails in the the Mt. Hood National Forest Region via Interstate 84 through Hood River, then south on Oregon 35 or take U.S. 26 through Government Camp. Be aware of the return trip from the Mount Hood area on late weekend afternoons.
Teacup Lake in the Mount Hood National Forest is operated by the Teacup Lake Nordic Club with trails that are groomed using funding from memberships. The Ray Garey day use cabin is at the trailhead. Rental equipment is not available at the site so rent before arriving.
From Portland, east on U.S. Hwy 26, to junction with Or. Hwy 35, then north towards Hood River. Continue past the Mt. Hood Meadows ski area junction, watch for the Teacup Sno-Park just after the Hood River Meadows junction.
From Hood River, or points east and west from Interstate 84, go south on Or. Hwy 35 from the town of Hood River, 35 miles to Teacup Sno-Park.
Mt. Hood Meadows has 15 km of groomed track at Hood River Meadows that is open Thursday through Sunday. The center is in a modular building on the northeast side of the parking lot and there is a trail fee. Mt. Hood Meadows is 63 miles east of Portland on the southeast side of Mount Hood.
Trillium Basin
A local owner of the Barlow Cabin has a permit with the Mount Hood National Forest to groom ski and snowshoe trails in the Trillium Basin southeast of the town of Government Camp. There are six miles of trails and grooming is done twice per week, prior to the weekend. Use of the trail is by donation and there is parking at the Mazama sno-park on the south side of U.S. 26 at the east end of Government Camp, or two miles farther east at Trillium sno-park. There are no rentals and lessons but they can be gotten in town.www.trilliumlake.com
Cooper Spur
A Nordic center operates daily, depending on snow conditions, out of the overnight lodge at Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, with cross-country skis and snowshoes for rent and a 6.5 km groomed trail system. There is a trail fee. Cooper Spur is 30 miles up the Hood River Valley from Hood River.