Across the road from the Chalet, SkiBowl is about much more than snow sports.  Their summer Adventure Park offers a huge menu of thrilling activities, including mountain biking, zip-line, bungee jumping (including reverse bungee and quad bungee trampoline), alpine slide, Indy carts and more (including activities designed for kids).

2650 miles long, stretching from Mexico to Canada and running through Mt. Hood National Forest, the PCT is 500 miles longer than the east coast’s more famous Appalachian Trail.

Mt. Hood National Forest encompasses over 1,000,000 acres.   All of them dog-friendly, which is a stark contrast to Mt. Rainier National Park, where dogs are prohibited on trails. 

Just a few miles up the road from the Chalet and Collins Lake Resort’s modern amenities, the legendary Timberline Lodge and snow sports complex boasts the only ski area in North America that is open all twelve months of the year.

Green Trails topographical maps are very popular with outdoors enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest.  Click on their logo to the left and you’ll be taken to their map inventory for the Mt. Hood-Columbia Gorge area.

I highly recommend renting a snowmobile from Mt Hood Adventures. They will meet you at one of several places on the mountain and take you on a guided tour. It is their equipment so they do have to be with you.  Last time I rode (January), I was very grateful for the hand warmers I put in my gloves and the thermos of hot cocoa in my backpack.

This is one of my favorite places on Mt Hood. I recommend renting a boat at Lost Lake or put your kayak/canoe/raft in the water if you have one. There is a beautiful walking trail around the lake. You won't break a sweat. It's easy but takes some time. It is a busy place in the summer so if you want one of the picnic tables next to the lake you have to get there early. There is a day use fee and they started charging a $10 per day pet fee. Bummer. Those fees are irritating. There were no fees there when I was growing up.

On your way back from Lost Lake stop by and see Randy Kiyokawa and his family's orchard and excellent fruit stand. Fruit stand is an understatement... His place is on Clear Creek Road,  close to downtown Parkdale.

After spending the day at Lost Lake and stopping by Randy's, have dinner at Cooper Spur Inn before you make your way back to the chalet. Cooper Spur Inn and Cooper Spur Ski Resort -- classy little jewels near Parkdale. They still serve the best steaks and baked potatoes with sour cream. The salads are made with mixed greens, no iceberg lettuce here. As a kid I use to ski at Cooper Spur for $1 on Wednesday nights. 

Comprehensive source of information on Hood River and the valley.

Bette’s is the Hood River I grew up with and still love.   Bette’s Place is friendly, yummy and where locals and knowing visitors have gravitated for four decades.  Bette herself is still making succulent cinnamon rolls, blueberry pies (prize-winning), homemade soups, specialty burgers and breakfasts you can build your day on.  When one of my best friends, Jaime, and I were students at Hood River Valley High, we both got our first jobs waitressing at Bette’s.  A $10 tip (tank of gas in my VW Rabbit) still stands out in my memory.  Would like to think it was due to my smile, but more likely it was Bette’s pie. 

The Clackamas Town Center Mall location, 47 miles away on the east side of the Portland metropolitan area, is the nearest to Government Camp.

Powell’s flagship store in downtown Portland is legendary and a must-stop for avid readers.  The online and satellite stores are also great sources of all kinds of books and maps on Hood -- including hiking guides.  Falcon Guides is a publisher of helpful-for-hikers books like their guide to “Mount Hood and the Badger Creek Wilderness.”

Good online trail guide.  Clicking on the box to the left will take you to the Mt. Hood Wilderness section.  You could hike around Hood the rest of your life and never be bored with the terrain and views.  Check out the Vista Ridge-Cairn Basin-Wy’East basin hikes.  McNeil Point, Ramona Falls and so many more.  Charge your camera batteries, you’re going to take a zillion pics.

Located in Welches on Highway 26.

Indian Creek is my favorite place to golf.  Located in Hood River, it has a beautiful clubhouse with a huge wrap around covered porch to sit back, eat good food, and recall all those great shots that could have been.  My claim to fame on this course is sinking a 40' putt.  There are many more shots of infamy but I choose to let those fade from memory....

Once upon a time, this was Hood River’s only golf course.

This 57-acre lake is a stunning jewel that you’ve probably seen a thousand times as it is a favorite of photographers.  I love to paddle this lake and it is just minutes from the chalet.

(Best food, and view, on the mountain!!)

(Family-friendly, except the bar - beer + wine to-go)

(My favorite breakfast place!  And open 24 hours....)

(Club sandwich, prime rib, Philly Steak & a pool table - Gov’t Camp icon)

“100 Hikes in NW Oregon & SW Washington” by William L. Sullivan is highly recommended by a friend who lives in Portland and has hiked and backpacked all over Hood, the Gorge, Cascades and Sierra Nevada for over three decades.

Rasmussen Farms is a longtime favorite of HRV locals and visitors.

“[Government Camp] ...Tahoe for the low-key crowd.”

“...nearly one-third of the fruit-tree acreage in Oregon.”

“...the balcony, boasting a view of big green trees in a forest area, complete with a stream, and steam reaching up to the sky from a Jacuzzi.”  [PHOTOS]

“Night skiing is king at Government Camp.   ...In summer, Skibowl becomes the Mount Hood Adventure Park.”

“The 4.75-mile loop around the lake is ranked No. 1 in Oregon and No. 7 nationally....”

“...one of the best beginner sites around....”

“...world-class windsurfing, stunning views, plunging waterfalls and snow, snow, snow.”

I recommend taking windsurf lessons at Big Winds. Ironically, you need to pray for a not so windy day your first time out. With a small sail you may still be overpowered on windy days. A dear friend once owned Big Winds. For some reason he moved to Maui... but I'm sure he will be back!

Another great place to take lessons and rent gear.

This resort is 12 miles from the chalet. It is 2,150 acres of the most varied terrain with the driest snow on Mt Hood. It has 11 lifts and 85 trails. If it is raining at Timberline Lodge it is frequently dry at Meadows. Ski during the week if you want to avoid the crowds. Skiing at night during a full moon was a favorite time for me.

(Best iced tea, ever -- mixture of black tea and fruits!)

Fresh fruit/veggies, hot baked chicken, deli meats and cheeses - even organic quinoa!

Excellent sandwiches!