Winter Wonderland: Paradise Park

One of my all time favorite winter destinations is Mt Hood’s Paradise Park. Of course, it also an amazing summer spot too, but it tends to get a little busy for my taste. However, the flower fields above the Timberline Trail are some of the best on this amazing around the mountain loop. In winter, all of the flowers are gone but so are the crowds and with it comes a bright feeling of true wilderness that hangs like lichen among the silent trees. Another great advantage to hiking the Paradise Park Trail in winter is the ease of the route finding.

A large cougar print!

A shark’s fin?

The wide trail follows the edge of Zig Zag Canyon once it climbs a bit from the road until its final mile or so when it goes in a bit into the subalpine zone and out of the trees to greet the Mountain. Take Hwy. 26 to the “39 Road” on your left past Rhododendron and just after it becomes one lane again. For a day hike, it is a 13 mile round trip with a good amount of elevation gain, not really meant for novice hikers that might be new to snowshoeing. But for an over night trip, it is great chance to camp at this iconic spot and soak it in. Climb the final mile keeping the Canyon on your right to the open meadows where it starts leveling off and presents amazing camping options among the small clusters of trees. Bring plenty of fuel to boil snow for dinner and drinking water, some extra food and layers and you are all set!