Spring Road Trip To Mt. Hood

By Guest Author: Matt Wastradowski

Mt. Hood is rightfully celebrated for its picture-perfect summertime recreation — and how it transforms into a winter wonderland as soon as the season’s first snow arrives. But we’d argue spring is an underrated time to enjoy some of Mt. Hood’s highlights, usually with a bit more solitude and mild temperatures.

After all, spring is when you can spy thousands of birds on their annual migration, soak up the season’s first sunshine on pub patios, hike past colorful wildflower blooms, get in the year’s first turns on top mountain bike trail systems and dust off your golf clubs for a few relaxing rounds. In the midst of it all, you’ll enjoy filling meals at a number of locally owned restaurants.

Here’s more about how to spend a memorable spring weekend with a road trip to Mt. Hood.

After arriving in Sandy, where the region’s farmland begins to gradually give way to more rugged terrain on the slopes of Mt. Hood, start your spring adventure with lunch. Grab food from one of the covered patios in Sandy — like the family-friendly Wippersnappers or Sandbar BBQ. Following lunch, learn all about Sasquatch, who’s spotted more often in Mt. Hood Territory than anywhere else in Oregon, at the North American Bigfoot Center.

Meet Mt. Hood's most famous resident at the North American Bigfoot Center.

Hop back in your car and head east on Highway 26 toward your overnight stay for the weekend. Lower on the mountain, Mt. Hood Village & RV Resort sits surrounded by the Villages of Mt. Hood and hosts more than 300 RV sites, well-appointed vacation cottages and a handful of adorable tiny homes. If you'd rather a more conventional hotel or resort experience, Mt. Hood Oregon Resort, just south of Welches, delivers plush bedding and in-room fireplaces, as well as a 27-hole golf course, seasonal swimming pool and on-site restaurant. Higher up on the mountain, the historic Huckleberry Inn resides in the heart of Government Camp and delivers a number of basic rooms, along with easy access to the area’s outdoor attractions.

Hungry for dinner? Our picks depend on where you’re staying. At lower elevations around Welches and the other Villages of Mt. Hood, we’d suggest starting with Rendezvous Grill & Tap Room, whose menu is dotted with upscale takes on classic pub grub — like a patty melt filled with wagyu beef or fish-and-chips made from sockeye salmon. Nearby, Chicali Cantina prides itself on delivering scratch-made Mexican food with locally sourced ingredients. Higher up in Government Camp, Charlie's Mountain View has been delivering a down-home watering hole experience since 1977 — complete with filling American fare and all manner of ski-themed bric-à-brac lining the walls.

You have a fun and busy day ahead of you, so start the day right with a quality breakfast. Lower on the mountain, Coffee House 26 sells breakfast sandwiches and homemade baked goods alongside a stellar selection of coffee drinks and a few shelves of curated books. Higher up in Government Camp, the on-site eatery at Huckleberry Inn is an old-school diner famous for its huckleberry pancakes and housemade doughnuts.

Ease into the day after breakfast with a little bird-watching on Mt. Hood. Spring is a particularly excellent time to try bird-watching, since so many species are heading north during their annual migration. Lower on the mountain and around Sandy, head to Jonsrud Viewpoint Park for expansive views of Oregon’s tallest peak and of a forested valley below — where you may see several species of raptor soaring between trees. Further east, the wide variety of ecosystems at Wildwood Recreation Site means you might encounter a wide variety of springtime birds such as harlequin ducks, Steller's jays and belted kingfishers. In late spring, the wheelchair-accessible nature trail at Lost Creek Campground is an excellent place to spot wrens, thrushes, mallards and herons.

The wetlands at Wildwood Recreation Site are an excellent location for birding on Mt. Hood.

Ready for lunch? In Welches, Wraptitude dishes heaping burgers, fresh salads and (of course) filling wraps in a funky, beach-themed dining room. If the sun’s out, head to the back patio, which gets a little shade from neighboring Douglas-fir trees.

Following lunch, take your pick of adventures that are never better than in spring. Along the family-friendly Old Salmon River Trail, for instance, you’ll spot the season’s first trillium blooms as early as April while hiking through a towering forest. Take advantage of idyllic conditions (and smaller crowds) by renting a mountain bike from Goodwynn's or Mt. Hood Bicycle and riding the popular Sandy Ridge Trail System. If you’re a golfer eager to get a few rounds in after a long winter break, Mt. Hood Oregon Resort hosts 27 scenic holes surrounded by the forested foothills of the Cascade Range. History buffs, meanwhile, can follow in the literal footsteps of Oregon Trail emigrants at sites along the Barlow Road or learn about the explosion of outdoor recreation on Mt. Hood with a stop at the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum in Government Camp.

Follow the steps of pioneers by hiking parts of the Barlow Road Wagon Trail on Mt. Hood.

After you’ve heard the rattle of woodpeckers, spied the graceful great blue heron and hiked past the season’s first wildflower blooms, celebrate a fun, full day with a delicious dinner. In Welches, Koya Kitchen is a pan-Asian food cart that serves sushi, poke, noodle dishes and more — all of which can be enjoyed in a leafy dining room or across an eclectic outdoor dining area that includes a converted school bus (now fully outfitted with cozy tables), crackling fire pits and a comfortable A-frame. Higher up in Government Camp, savor creative pub grub, as well as ales and lagers made with glacier water, at Mt. Hood Brewing Co., or chow down on German-inspired dishes at Glacier House.

Make the most of your final day on Mt. Hood with an appetizing breakfast. In Government Camp, Charlie's Mountain View serves hearty portions of American diner fare. Lower on the mountain, get cozy with a piping-hot bevvy and fresh-baked pastry at Coffee Brewsters in Welches. If you’d like to grab some treats for the ride home, Mt. Hood Baking Co. sells homemade cookies, cinnamon rolls, breads, pastries, sandwiches and more in Welches.

On your way home, stretch your legs with one last short hike at Barlow Wayside Park, which sits low on Mt. Hood between Welches and Sandy. The park, lush with ferns and other greenery, sits along a stretch of the Barlow Road and hosts a few mild hiking trails with interpretive stops along the way.