Difference between revisions of "Multorpor Mountain Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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Head up in dry woods of yellow-cedar, silver fir, mountain hemlock, Engelmann spruce, rhododendron, bracken and bear-grass. The trail drops slightly and then heads steeply up again. Noble fir, lodgepole pine, and Douglas-fir are also in the mix, as well as vine maple and boxwood. Switchback at an open area and pass a lodgepole pine with six trunks! Swing to the left and hike up to the rocky summit of [[Multorpor Mountain]]. There are great views to [[Mount Hood]], parts of Government Camp, and [[Trillium Lake]]. Returning down the same trail, reach the [[Multorpor Mountain-Powerline Trail Junction]] and go right, heading down. | Head up in dry woods of yellow-cedar, silver fir, mountain hemlock, Engelmann spruce, rhododendron, bracken and bear-grass. The trail drops slightly and then heads steeply up again. Noble fir, lodgepole pine, and Douglas-fir are also in the mix, as well as vine maple and boxwood. Switchback at an open area and pass a lodgepole pine with six trunks! Swing to the left and hike up to the rocky summit of [[Multorpor Mountain]]. There are great views to [[Mount Hood]], parts of Government Camp, and [[Trillium Lake]]. Returning down the same trail, reach the [[Multorpor Mountain-Powerline Trail Junction]] and go right, heading down. | ||
| − | There’a a steep part of this descent before you enter a lush area with thimbleberry, bracken and huckleberry bushes. The track turns into shady woods and you come to the [[Powerline-Optimator Trail Junction]] before a small meadow blooming with daisies and everlastings. Go right here on the Optimator Trail through groves of Alaska yellow-cedar and blueberry thickets. The trail drops into drier woods of mountain hemlock and silver fir with a rhododendron understory. Wend down and then undulate a little. There are eight switchbacks before the trail levels and then rises through cedars, Douglas-fir, noble fir and silver fir. | + | There’a a steep part of this descent before you enter a lush area with thimbleberry, bracken and huckleberry bushes. The track turns into shady woods and you come to the [[Powerline-Optimator Trail Junction]] before a small meadow blooming with daisies and everlastings. Go right here on the Optimator Trail through groves of Alaska yellow-cedar and blueberry thickets. The trail drops into drier woods of mountain hemlock and silver fir with a rhododendron understory. Wend down and then undulate a little. There are eight switchbacks before the trail levels and then rises through cedars, Douglas-fir, noble fir and silver fir. Note the large stumps in bracken-filled clearings attesting to the former old growth. After the middle of August, you will find the most productive patches of oval-leaf blueberries up here. The trail drops again and make a traverse past a spring. Pass larger Douglas-firs and also some western hemlocks. Then swing upward in a young silver fir forest and reach a dusty track at a dusty junction. |
Here, go left and down, keeping right as the trail skirts a ski area. There’s a good view of [[Mount Hood]] at this point. There are two options here: go right across the cleared ski area towards Multorpor Lodge (visible to the east), or walk along shadier Lake Road, also towards the lodge. Multorpor Fen is to your left through the trees, but there are no clear paths to it. Reach the activities area for Ski Bowl East, with miniature golf, horse rides, a zip line, bungee jumping, etc. Head up a barkdust path to the “lodge” and sample a pint in the beer garden if you wish. Then head out, walking up hill to the Summit Trail behind the lodge building and go left. | Here, go left and down, keeping right as the trail skirts a ski area. There’s a good view of [[Mount Hood]] at this point. There are two options here: go right across the cleared ski area towards Multorpor Lodge (visible to the east), or walk along shadier Lake Road, also towards the lodge. Multorpor Fen is to your left through the trees, but there are no clear paths to it. Reach the activities area for Ski Bowl East, with miniature golf, horse rides, a zip line, bungee jumping, etc. Head up a barkdust path to the “lodge” and sample a pint in the beer garden if you wish. Then head out, walking up hill to the Summit Trail behind the lodge building and go left. | ||
Revision as of 01:14, 22 October 2014
- Start point: Summit Rest Area Trailhead
- End point: Multorpor Mountain
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 5.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 1100 feet
- High Point: 4,656 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Summer into Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
Multorpor Mountain rises as a forested cone east of the Skibowl winter and summer recreation areas. A network of foot, ski, and road tracks leads around this prominence and allows the hiker access to the area. Keep to the trails described: there are points where you could stray onto private land. The views from the top of Multorpor Mountain take in Mount Hood and the surrounding area. Hike this loop in August, and you will be treated to a huckleberry bounty, so leave time for foraging!
Cross the highway with caution and find the dirt road that leads past a weathered post stamped with an Oregon Trail marker. Pass a brown shed and reach a gravel parking area with wooden buildings. To the left of the Gas House, see the high post with cross-country ski trails indicated. Go left to follow the Barlow Trail. Enter a cool forest of Alaska yellow-cedar, silver fir and mountain hemlock with many huckleberry bushes. The trail follows a jeep track and descends past a junction with the Hemlock Trail. Rise and drop and reach a junction with a sign saying “To Summit Trail.” Go right here on the Tie Trail and head up among blueberry bushes. Reach a road and go left. In about 50 yards, come to a junction with the Powerline Trail and go left here, heading up on a rough track. About 25 yards past the crest, as the trail begins to descend, there’s an unmarked trail, the Multorpor Mountain-Powerline Trail Junction, leading up the road embankment on the right.
Head up in dry woods of yellow-cedar, silver fir, mountain hemlock, Engelmann spruce, rhododendron, bracken and bear-grass. The trail drops slightly and then heads steeply up again. Noble fir, lodgepole pine, and Douglas-fir are also in the mix, as well as vine maple and boxwood. Switchback at an open area and pass a lodgepole pine with six trunks! Swing to the left and hike up to the rocky summit of Multorpor Mountain. There are great views to Mount Hood, parts of Government Camp, and Trillium Lake. Returning down the same trail, reach the Multorpor Mountain-Powerline Trail Junction and go right, heading down.
There’a a steep part of this descent before you enter a lush area with thimbleberry, bracken and huckleberry bushes. The track turns into shady woods and you come to the Powerline-Optimator Trail Junction before a small meadow blooming with daisies and everlastings. Go right here on the Optimator Trail through groves of Alaska yellow-cedar and blueberry thickets. The trail drops into drier woods of mountain hemlock and silver fir with a rhododendron understory. Wend down and then undulate a little. There are eight switchbacks before the trail levels and then rises through cedars, Douglas-fir, noble fir and silver fir. Note the large stumps in bracken-filled clearings attesting to the former old growth. After the middle of August, you will find the most productive patches of oval-leaf blueberries up here. The trail drops again and make a traverse past a spring. Pass larger Douglas-firs and also some western hemlocks. Then swing upward in a young silver fir forest and reach a dusty track at a dusty junction.
Here, go left and down, keeping right as the trail skirts a ski area. There’s a good view of Mount Hood at this point. There are two options here: go right across the cleared ski area towards Multorpor Lodge (visible to the east), or walk along shadier Lake Road, also towards the lodge. Multorpor Fen is to your left through the trees, but there are no clear paths to it. Reach the activities area for Ski Bowl East, with miniature golf, horse rides, a zip line, bungee jumping, etc. Head up a barkdust path to the “lodge” and sample a pint in the beer garden if you wish. Then head out, walking up hill to the Summit Trail behind the lodge building and go left.
At a junction, keep right and pass through a boulder blockade, heading slightly up on a roadbed into cool-shady woods. Alaska blueberries seem to predominate here. Larger hemlocks, noble firs and cedars grow in this sliver of woodland. Pass a sign saying you are leaving the Mt. Hood SkiBowl Mountain Bike Permit Area and reach a junction with the Powerline Trail. Go left, cross a stream and the road becomes paved. Pass a green shed to reach the highway right opposite the entrance to the rest area.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- none
Maps
- Green Trails Maps: Mount Hood, OR #462S (part of the loop shown)
- Mt. Hood Skibowl: Summer Map
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Multorpor Mountain Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Multorpor Mountain Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
More Links
- Multorpor Mountain View & Loop Trail (Trails.com)
- Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl (Mt. Hood Skibowl)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)