Summer is the best time to visit the Mt. Hood area. There are so many lovely lakes, and the mountain views are outstanding! While I got my feet wet (literally) at PNW hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood is where I really got hooked on hiking, backpacking, local history and my naturalist studies. It is such a gift to be able to hike in such breathtaking surrounds and learn so much while doing it.

Mt. Hood has a lot of trails, many of which are not kid-friendly. The area can also be quite rugged with limited cell service and bad roads. The good news is that there are at least 45 kid-friendly hikes around this dormant volcano (although it is considered potentially active and could become more active at some point). Continue reading to find out my favorite hikes (and nearby campgrounds) from my third book little feet hiking: Mt. Hood. For the best information, including where to hike when the mountain is hiding, as well as almost all the details you need for a safe and fun family hike, pick up a copy on Amazon or at Vintage Books before hitting the trail.

Pro-tips for hiking in the summertime around Mt. Hood:

• Remember that not every trail will be right for your family. I go into this more in my books, but please assess your family members’ hiking abilities and pay attention to the risks outlined so that you can determine if a trail is right for your family. Many trails in the Mt. Hood area are quite remote, and you may encounter wildlife. Thoroughly-researched trail guides will prepare you better than free apps generated by all types of users.
• If it is warm in town, it still may be cool in the mountains. On the morning of your hike, check daytime and overnight weather conditions and make sure to bring the right gear. Often, mountain mornings start out foggy/cloudy and afternoons get sunny. It is good to plan for changing weather conditions. To find the most accurate forecast, visit NOAA, and click on the spot closest to where you’ll be hiking (check the elevation).
• Make sure to check mountain snow levels.
• Educate yourself on summer safety.
• Don’t forget your mosquito repellant, sun protection, and anti-itch cream!
• Check for wildfires and smoke, as well as air quality.
• In summer, water can still be cold and swift or even unsafe due to toxins. Washington.gov has great tips for keeping kids safe or learn more about kids and water safety here.
• Maintain reasonable expectations and have fun!

WEST SIDE HIKES

Old Salmon River Trail

• 1.2 to 2.8 miles round trip
• Shady trail with big trees and beautiful river
• Auto break-ins can be an issue here, so plan accordingly with this advice
• Great for a cloudy day up on the mountain
• Learn about the old-growth trees you’ll encounter in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood

Little Zigzag Canyon

• 2.4 miles round trip
• This hike is an excellent way to experience the alpine areas of Mt. Hood with the comfort of flush toilets inside historic Timberline Lodge
• See if you can spot Trillium Lake and Mt. Jefferson
• There are some drop-offs on this hike, so use caution
• Keep an eye and ear out for marmots (learn more in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood)

Trillium Lake

• 1.9 mile round trip loop
• Add on a swim or boat rental after your hike, or consider camping in the adjacent campground
• Very busy on summer weekends, so consider visiting on a weekday
• Learn about the historical significance of this neat area in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood

SOUTH SIDE HIKES

Little Crater Lake

• 1.4 to 3.2 miles round trip
• Barrier-free trail to a very geologically-interesting turquoise lake; less barrier-free beyond
• Swimming isn’t allowed in the lake, and bug spray is a good idea
• Great for a cloudy day up on the mountain
• Learn about how Little Crater Lake was formed in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood
• Consider making it an overnight at adjacent Crater Lake Campground

Buck Lake

• 1 mile round trip
• The lake destination is a great place to wade in the water, go fishing, or look for rough-skinned newts
• The trailhead can be hard to find and there is no cell service; find directions and weblinks in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood
• Great for a cloudy day up on the mountain

Lower Twin Lake

• 4 miles round trip
• This busy hike takes you along the Pacific Crest Trail to a picture-perfect lake
• Consider bringing your overnight gear and nabbing a lakeside campsite
• Great for a cloudy day up on the mountain
• Nearby Frog Lake Campground and Day Use Area is fantastic for viewing frogs in summer

Anvil Lake

• 2.9 miles round trip
• This hike is more obscure and remote, so you’ll definitely need to arrived prepared (get all the deets in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood)
• One of my favorites, this hike takes you through old-growth forest and through boggy meadows to a lovely lake
• Great for a cloudy day up on the mountain
• Keep an eye out for elk and lots of wildflowers
• Consider booking a campsite at nearby Timothy Lake

EAST SIDE HIKES

Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane Historic District

• 1.7 to 2.1 miles round trip
• The view of Mt. Hood from Cloud Cap is one of the best around
• Keep an eye out for marmots in the rock fields
• Bring overnight gear to stay in adjacent Tilly Jane or Cloud Cap Saddle campgrounds
• Learn about the historic Cloud Cap Inn and Tilly Jane Historic District in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood

Five Mile Butte

• 1.4 to 4.4 miles round trip
• This hike offers up a relatively unique east-facing perspective of the drier part of the state
• You won’t find this hike description anywhere other than little feet hiking: Mt. Hood
• Please respect any visitors who are paying to stay at the lookout; you won’t be able to go up the stairs or in the lookout, but you can still walk underneath it

Tamawanas Falls

• 3.8 miles round trip
• The waterfall is pretty epic, and there are some neat rock formations seen from the trail
• The trail has some cliffs and challenging rock fields
• It can be quite busy on summer weekend, and is great on a cloudy day
• Nearby Nottingham Campground is a family favorite

Umbrella Falls

• 4.1 miles round trip
• While the destination is a lovely waterfall, I hike it for the spectacular wildflowers blooming in summer
• Keep an eye out for Mt. Hood views and bring bug spray
• Great for a cloudy day up on the mountain
• Read up on the descriptions and risks (like a few cliffs) in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood

Lookout Mountain

• 2.5 or 2.7 mile round-trip miles
• Hike up to an amazing 360-degree mountaintop viewpoint without too much elevation gain; great for kids who want to summit a mountain
• There are cliffs along the trail; please read up on the risks of this particular trail
• Look for wildflowers in the meadows
• Add in some place-based learning by reading about the rain shadow effect in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood, and then seeing if first-hand from the summit of Lookout Mountain

NORTH SIDE HIKES

Lost Lake Lakeshore Trail

• 1.6 or 3.2 miles round trip
• Hike through old growth forest and along one of the most picturesque lakes around
• Consider adding on a campground, yurt, or the lodge stay at Lost Lake Resort
• Rent a boat at the resort, or plan for some lake play

Vista Ridge to the Rockpile

• 4 miles round trip
• This high-elevation hike takes you through wildflower meadows to some awesome views of Mt. Hood (and without the big elevation gain normally required for this type of view)
• Listen for pikas (learn more in little feet hiking: Mt. Hood)
• There are cliffs and other hazards along the trail; please read up on the risks of this particular trail

Bald Mountain

• 1.6 round-trip miles
• Hike through amazing forest before getting to one of the best Mt. Hood views of all time
• Look for fairies in the forest
• There is a very dangerous cliff on this hike; read little feet hiking: Mt. Hood for details on how to prepare for that cliff and where to stop your hike before getting to it

Are you ready to plan for your next adventure? Now go out and enjoy making some summertime family memories!