Mt Hood Loop of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail Rises from the Benson State Parks Area

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Mount Hood Loop

Hood River County Chamber of Commerce O L U M B I A C R I V 6 E R Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area 5 Hood 7 8 84 River 9 4 r 10 ive R Mosier d Troutdale o o H 3 Cascade Locks 2 The Dalles Portland 11 Portals Corbett 1 Lost 12 Beaverton Lake Zig Zag Ranger District 503-622-3191 Tigard San Hood River County dy Riv Mt. Hood 13 Sandy er 19 Chamber of Commerce 541-386-2000 Oregon 20 18 35 City 14 Estacada Ranger Station Estacada Estacada Zig Zag 26 503-630-6861 197 Ranger District Ranger Station Government Camp 21 16 5 17 15 Tygh 22 Pine Valley Hollow Res. 26 C 224 l ac Maupin ka 25 58 Woodburn ma 23 27 s R ive Timothy Molalla r 28 Lake 30 24 57 29

26 Silverton 0 15 Miles

Salem 214 0 15 KM 46

Warm Springs

1. Larch Mountain 2. Angels Rest and Columbia Gorge National Scenic he Mt Hood Loop of the Oregon Cascades Birding Trail rises from the Benson State Parks Area. From I-84, Exit 22 (Corbett); S Columbia River to the base of Mt. Hood, the highest point in Oregon, and Oregon State Parks. From I-84, east- T (uphill) 1.5 mi on Corbett Hill Road to bound Exit 28 (Bridal Veil); Angels Rest combines some of the best of the region’s birding with legendary Oregon scenery. Columbia River Historic Hwy; L for 2 trailhead near exit, Benson 2 mi E; west- The Trail traverses the Columbia River National Scenic Area which is also the mi to Larch Mountain Road; 14 mi to bound Exit 35 (Ainsworth State Park), corridor traveled by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in 1805. Our Lewis’s Larch Mountain. 5 mi W on Historic Columbia River Hwy Most accessible Cascades Range Woodpecker, Clark’s Nutcracker and Clark’s Grebe were named in their honor. to Benson and 7 mi to Angels Rest. site to Portland; panoramic views of Today, Osprey, Bald Eagle and waterfowl inhabit the river at Ainsworth and Viento Angels Rest is a steep and difficult climb Columbia Gorge and Cascade peaks; through varied woodland habitats to two State Parks and the Hood River Delta. On the northeast corner of the trail, tucked paved trail to top; mature conifer forest rock promontories overlooking the up against the “dry side” of Mt Hood, the Hood River Valley brims with productive and shrubby habitats; high eleva- Columbia River; birds include Ruffed fruit orchards, along with outstanding birding. Sites like Tucker and Tollbridge tion forest birds such as Hermit and and Blue Grouse, Gray Jay, and Turkey Townsend’s Warbler, Northern Pygmy- County Parks lead you along the Hood River and up the Cascade slope to Bonney Vulture. Benson has lowland riparian Owl, Steller’s and Gray Jay, Rock Wren, Butte, one of Oregon’s premiere raptor viewing locations. Higher elevation forests forest around lake with nesting Wood Evening Grosbeak, Varied Thrush, Duck, Warbling and Red-eyed Vireo, feature unique sites such as Little Crater Lake where Wilson’s Snipe and Spotted Townsend’s Solitaire, Blue Grouse, and and Bullock’s Oriole. Sandpiper nest, and the historic Clackamas Lake Ranger Station with its resident Band-tailed Pigeon; Ruffed Grouse and Red-breasted Sapsucker and nesting Olive-sided Flycatcher. Southwest of Mt. Rufous Hummingbird occur around parking area and shrubby habitats; Hood, the Clackamas River cuts a long, steep canyon featuring Promontory Park Sponsor: American Bird Conservancy Common Nighthawk flies above forest and Fish Creek Campgrounds. Down the western flank of the mountain, the Zig Zag on summer evenings. and Sandy Rivers lead you past Trillium Lake and through Wildwood Recreation Area; look here for Pileated Woodpecker and Band-tailed Pigeon. Sponsor: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. 5 3. Ainsworth State Park 5. Viento State Park 7. Twin Tunnels – Hood River 9. Twin Tunnels – Mosier Oregon State Parks. From I-84, Oregon State Parks. From I-84, Exit 56; Oregon State Parks. From I-84, Exit 64 City of Mosier. From I-84, Exit 69; Exit 35 (Historic Hwy/Ainsworth State 8 mi W of Hood River . (Mt. Hood Hwy/White Salmon); S on westbound turn L and cross under free- Park); W on Columbia River Historic Migrant songbirds forage in broadleaf Hwy 35 for 0.3 mi; E on Old Columbia way; eastbound turn R; L on Rock Creek Highway 1 mi. trees in spring; flowering fruit trees River Drive for 1.2 mi. Rd; less than 0.5 mi to parking area. Columbia River floodplain and attract hummingbirds; along Columbia Hood River entrance of 4-mi paved Mosier entrance of 4-mi paved trail upland mixed conifer forest with lush River look for wintering waterfowl. trail between Hood River and Mosier route between Hood River and Mosier understory; resident Winter Wren, along restored Old Columbia Highway; along restored Old Columbia Highway; Golden-crowned Kinglet, Brown Mark O. Hatfield Visitors Center; mixed mixed conifer forest, oak woodlands, Creeper, and Red-breasted Nuthatch; Sponsor: National Forest Foundation conifer and hardwood forest with grasslands, and basalt rock outcrops; in spring and summer Hermit Thrush, ferns, big-leaf maple, Douglas-fir, and Ash-throated Flycatcher regular near Townsend’s Warbler, and Hermit 6. Mouth of Hood River standing dead trees; nesting Olive- entrance. Warbler. City of Hood River, Port of Hood River. sided Flycatcher near entrance along From I-84, Exit 63 (Hood River City with Black-headed Grosbeak, Western Center); N 0.1 mi on 2nd Street; E 0.1 Tanager, and Brown Creeper; wintering Sponsor: Columbia Gorge National mi at T-intersection; N at stop sign Hermit Thrush and Canyon Wren. 10. Tucker County Park Scenic Area towards “Visitor Information” sign; Hood River County. From I-84, Exit W along Portway Ave for 0.5 mi; at 62 (W Hood River); S and curve E on 4. Government Cove “Oregon Visitor Information” sign and Sponsor: Hood River County Chamber Oak Street (Hwy 30 E) for 1.3 mi; at City of Cascade Locks. From I-84, entrance to Hood River Expo Center, N of Commerce light, S on 13th Street (Tucker Road) westbound Exit 47 E of Cascade Locks; on gravel road and into park; 0.3 mi to for 5.5 mi. N 0.1 mi across railroad tracks to turnaround at The Hook . 8. Mosier Waterfront Park Riparian hardwoods and shrubs, oak, entrance; eastbound Exit 44; E on Hwy Sand/gravel bar at mouth of Hood City of Mosier, Oregon Department of and mixed conifer forest along Hood 30 (Wa Na Pa Street) for 1 mi; E on River; migration stop for shorebirds and Transportation. From I-84, Exit 69; River; resident Bushtit Golden-crowned Forest Lane for 2 mi; E for 0.9 mi and concentration point for resting terns, L on Rock Creek Rd; at 500 yards R Kinglet; American Dipper, Harlequin cross I-84 overpass; bear left and yield; gulls, sea-ducks, waterfowl, Peregrine into gravel parking area; road off park- Duck, and Belted Kingfisher in or near N 0.1 mi under I-84 overpass; cross Falcon, and Bald Eagle. Downstream ing area goes under railroad overpass water. railroad tracks to entrance. from mouth of Hood River 0.3-mi, into park. Historic area with sheltered cove along “The Hook” is a land peninsula that Five miles of urban walking trails Columbia River; old rock quarry and surrounds a backwater slough of through wetland and upland habitats in Sponsor: Hood River County Cham- slough surrounded by hardwood trees; Columbia River; surrounded by cot- wet-dry transition zone; resident birds ber of Commerce hosts wintering waterfowl, migrating tonwood trees; wintering waterfowl include Great Blue Heron, Bald and songbirds and nesting Purple Martin and Bald Eagle; both sites busy during Golden Eagles, Osprey, Blue-winged 11. Tollbridge County Park and Tree Swallow in old pilings; look summer months with wind-surfers. Teal, Wood Duck, Anna’s and Calliope Hood River County. From Hwy 35, for Bald Eagle and Osprey. Hummingbird, Cliff Swallow, and 12 mi S of Hood River; W on Tollbridge Vaux’s Swift. Road for 0.5 mi. Sponsor: Hood River County Riparian forest with large conifers and Sponsor: National Forest Foundation Chamber of Commerce cottonwood trees along E Fork Hood Sponsor: National Forest Foundation River; good for spring migrant songbirds; look in river for American Dipper

BIRDING TIP

Each participant should have their own binoculars. Binoculars with 7 or 8 magnification and outer lenses at least 35mm diameter will help you locate birds more easily. When you see a bird, lock your eyesight onto the bird, note any features of reference near the bird, and bring your binoculars up to your eyes. PHOTO BY KEVIN SMITH BY PHOTO PHOTO BY TERRY R STEELE TERRY BY PHOTO R STEELE TERRY BY PHOTO Black-capped Chickadee Clark’s Nutcracker Black-throated Gray Warbler 6 and Common Merganser; Harlequin such as Yellow-rumped and Townsend’s migration site during September and 18. Timberline Lodge Duck also possible. Warbler, and Ruby-crowned Kinglet October; panoramic vantage point Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From migrate through river corridor. to view migrating hawks and eagles; Government Camp on Hwy 26; E for large numbers of Sharp-shinned, 0.2 mi; N for 6 mi on Timberline Road Sponsor: Hood River County Cooper’s, and Red-tailed Hawk; other to lodge. Chamber of Commerce Sponsor: American Bird Conservancy migrants include Common Raven, Rich, historic site providing only op- Clark’s Nutcracker, Yellow-rumped portunity in Cascades to drive to an 12. Lost Lake 14. Hood River Meadows/ Warbler, Lewis’s Woodpecker, and alpine area on a paved road; extensive Mt Hood NF, Hood River RD. From Vaux’s Swift. Sahalie Falls tourist and recreation traffic in summer; Hood River, Hwy 35 S for 12 mi; W on to explore higher slopes on Mt. Hood Mt Hood NF, Hood River RD. From Hwy Woodworth Dr; go to Dee Hwy (Tucker take chair lift ride; Gray-crowned Rosy 35, approx 30 mi N of Hood River, W Road) making a R; follow to Dee; take Sponsor: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. Finch in rocky areas or at edge of snow- on FR 3545 for 0.5 m; L to Hood River Lost Lake Rd which changes to FR 13 fields; Horned Lark in alpine meadows; Meadows and Sahalie Falls . to lake. 16. Devils Half-Acre Meadow Mountain Chickadee in conifer trees; Sahalie Falls Loop is a portion of Popular recreation destination; 3.2- Mt Hood NF, Hood River RD. From occasional Cassin’s Finch; Clark’s historic Mount Hood Loop Highway mi lakeshore trail; riparian and lake Hwy 35,W on FR3531 at Barlow Pass Nutcracker and Common Raven around completed in 1924; passes by Hood habitats, aspen and cedar groves, at Barlow Road/Pacific Crest Trail sign; parking lot; Mountain Bluebird and River Meadows, over Meadows Creek, coniferous forest including old-growth; 0.1 mi and L on FR 3530 (narrow, White-crowned Sparrow regular in Spotted Sandpiper and Great-blue and past Sahalie Falls; old stone bridge dirt road going downhill); 0.5 mi to summer; all seen from inside lodge below falls with beautiful view; high Heron along shoreline, Osprey and meadow; NOTE: high clearance vehicle windows with Mt. Hood in background; elevation mixed conifer forest and Bald Eagle over lake, swallows forag- recommended for last 0.5 mi. Forest Service interpretive programs. ing above water, and Vaux’s Swift wet, brushy meadow; bird species in Along historic Barlow Road used by nesting in dead trees near lake; Pileated meadows include Lincoln’s and White- pioneers to cross Mt Hood; high- Woodpecker, Mountain Chickadee, crowned Sparrow, and Orange-crowned elevation wet meadow with brushy Sponsor: Mt Hood National Forest Red Crossbill, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and MacGillivray’s Warbler; forest alder and willow in wetland surrounded and Townsend’s, Hermit, and Yellow- species include Gray Jay, Swainson’s by conifer forest; excellent for fall mi- 19. Lost Creek Campground/ Thrush, Winter Wren, and Golden- rumped Warbler in forest. grant songbirds; best in mid-August Nature Trail & Old Maid Flats crowned Kinglet. to late September; good for warblers, Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From Hwy especially MacGillivray’s, Wilson’s, 26, 18 mi E of Sandy; L on FR 18 (Lolo Sponsor: Hood River County Orange-crowned, and Yellow-rumped; Sponsor: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. Pass Rd) directly across from Zigzag Chamber of Commerce Lincoln Sparrow breeds in meadow; Ranger Station; after approximately Hammond’s Flycatcher relatively 4 mi R onto FR 1828; 0.6 mi and bear 13. Tamanawas Falls Trail common nester in forest. 15. Bonney Butte R across bridge on FR 1825; bird in Mt Hood NF, Hood River RD. On Hwy Mt Hood NF, Hood River RD. From Lodgepole forest along road (Old Maid 35, approx 25 mi S of Hood River; Hwy 35,E on FR 48 at White River Flats) or continue until road ends at 1.5 m N of intersection with FR 44. East Sno-Park for 7 mi; L on FR 4890 Sponsor: American Bird Conservancy campground. Falls are 100 feet high and 40 feet wide; (paved) 3.7 mi and L on FR 4891; THIS Old Maid Flats formed by a mudflow accessed by hiking 2-mi Tamanawas IS A ROUGH AND ROCKY ROAD, ONLY 17. Trillium Lake off W flank of Mt. Hood 250 years Trail; trailhead footbridge is midpoint HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES ARE Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From Govern- ago; open stand of lodgepole pine of 8-mi stretch of river hosting nesting RECOMMENDED; after 2 mi, park op- ment Camp on Hwy 26; E for 1.8 mi; S with pockets of huckleberry, under- Harlequin Duck; riparian habitat and posite 4890-130 spur (gated) and walk for 2 mi on FR 2650. story of moss and ferns; breeding mature mixed-conifer forest along trail to up 130 spur to observation point at top Trail with boardwalk around lake; best populations of Hammond’s Flycatcher, falls; American Dipper and Belted King- of butte (about 0.5 mi). birding at N end of lake where trail Hermit Thrush and Western Tanager; fisher common along river; songbirds A Hawk Watch International fall meanders through forest and wetlands. Lost Creek Campground has paved, Birds include Common Yellowthroat, accessible trail along creek through Tree and Violet-green Swallow, and dense mature mixed conifer forest; Wilson’s, MacGillivray’s, Hermit, and look for Winter Wren, Red-breasted Townsend’s Warbler; on the lake look Nuthatch, and Varied and Swainson’s for Ring-necked Duck and occasional Thrushes; spur off main loop parallels Bald Eagle or Osprey; representative creek through brushy habitats along forest birds include Gray and Steller’s PHOTO BY KEVIN SMITH BY PHOTO a boardwalk; look for Rufous Hum- Jay, and Hermit, Varied, and Swainson’s mingbird, MacGillivray’s, Yellow, and Thrushes; watch for snow until June. Nashville Warblers; beaver pond may host herons and mallards. Sponsor: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. Sponsor: American Bird Conservancy

Northern Goshawk 7 20. Wildwood Recreation Area 25. High Rock Springs Picture postcard views of Mt. Hood; Bureau of Land Management, Salem Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From Govern- high elevation conifer forest surrounds District. On Hwy 26, 15 mi E of ment Camp on Hwy 26; E for 12 mi; W lake with shrubby riparian and open Sandy and 2 mi W of Welches on S on FR 42 (Skyline Road) for 5 mi; W on wetland meadows; hosts a mix of fall mi- side of road. FR 58 for 15 mi to High Rock Springs grant waterbirds including Ring-necked Duck, Western, Horned, and Eared

Popular recreation area bordering SMITH KEVIN BY PHOTO and campground; park at base of rock. Salmon River, a National Wild and Great view of Mt. Hood with spectacular Grebe’s, Common Loon, and Bufflehead; Scenic River; mixed conifer and wildflowers in late summer; good for breeding Barrow’s Goldeneye; Ring- hardwood forest, freshwater wetland, sapsuckers and Black-backed and billed and California Gull in summer; and riparian forest; Harlequin Duck, Three-toed Woodpeckers; Spotted Owl surrounding forests and wet areas near Common Merganser, American Dip- known to occur. streams offer diverse landbirds includ- per, Spotted Sandpiper, and Belted ing Red Crossbill, Varied Thrush, and Kingfisher along Salmon River; wetland Hermit Thrush. boardwalk trail offers opportunities to Sponsor: Clackamas County Tourism see Wood Duck, Red-winged Blackbird, and Common Yellowthroat; charac- Gray Jay 26. Abbott Burn Sponsor: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. teristic forest birds include resident Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From Hwy Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter 23. Fish Creek Campgrounds 224, 26 mi S of Estacada; L on FR 29. Clackamas Lake Wren, Steller’s Jay, Red-breasted Mt Hood NF, Estacada RD. On Hwy 224, 57 for 7.4 mi; L on FR 58 (Abbott Rd) Ranger Station Nuthatch, Pileated Woodpecker, and 14.7 mi SE of Estacada to intersection of for 8.8 mi N; (alternative off FR 42 Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From Varied Thrush; nesting species in- FR 54 (Fish Creek Rd). (Skyline Rd) 11 mi W on Abbott Rd). Government Camp on Hwy 26; E for 13 clude Western Tanager, Black-headed Three campgrounds with relatively flat Old clear-cuts on both sides of road; mi; S on FR 42 (Skyline Road) for 10 Grosbeak, Pacific-Slope Flycatcher, and terrain and riparian and shrub habitat at walk periphery of cuts and along mi; campground on W side and Historic Wilson’s, Hermit, and Black-throated confluence of Fish Creek and Clacka- road; good for woodpeckers such as Ranger Station on E side of FR 42. Gray Warblers. mas River; good opportunities to see Three-toed, Black-backed, Lewis’s, Large open meadow and wetland com- river-associated birds such as Com- and Williamson’s Sapsucker; nesting plex with riparian shrub; campground mon Merganser and Belted Kingfisher; Mountain Bluebird. has a boardwalk out to edge of meadow; Sponsor: Bureau of Land Management American Dipper in rapids; forest and historic site, tours available. brush-associated birds include Black- 21. Faraday Lake headed Grosbeak, Warbling Vireo, and Sponsor: Clackamas County Tourism Portland General Electric Corporation. White-crowned Sparrow. Sponsor: National Forest Foundation On Hwy 224, 1.0 mi SE of Estacada at 27. Little Crater Lake Faraday Hydroelectric Project; foot- Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From Hwy 26, Sponsor: Clackamas County Tourism 30. Bear Springs Campground bridge leads across river to lake. 13 mi E of Government Camp; S on FR Mt Hood NF, Barlow RD. From Small diversion lake; adjacent mixed 42 (Skyline Road) for 5 mi; W on FR 58 Government Camp on Hwy 26; E for 16.3 conifer forest good for spring migrant 24. Ripplebrook Ranger for 2 mi to campground . mi; E on Hwy 216 for 4.1 mi; entrance songbirds; variety of common waterfowl Station/Timber Lake Unique geological feature of a small on right; adjacent to Bear Springs Work on lake. Mt Hood NF, Clackamas RD. On Hwy deep pool surrounded by grasslands, Center. 224, 24 mi S of Estacada; E at sign wet meadows, and mixed conifer for- Transitional vegetation zone between to Timber Lake; at 100 yards park on est; adjacent to Pacific Crest Trail; west and east-side; mixed conifer for- Sponsor: Clackamas County Tourism SW side of pond in parking lot; walk one-mi hike through forest to N arm est with forested wetland meadow and around pond. of Timothy Lake; common Cascade riparian; good for migrating songbirds 22. Promontory Park Small lake; attracts waterfowl and forest birds along with Wilson’s Snipe and in spring, and more typical forest spe- Mt Hood NF, Estacada RD. On Hwy 224, migratory songbirds in spring and fall, Lincoln’s Sparrow in meadows, Violet- cies in other seasons; most birds near 6.4 mi SE of Estacada; entrance on R. especially in marsh and shrubby habitat; green Swallow and Common Nighthawk meadow, around picnic grounds, and Steep-sided canyon along river; Osprey Ripplebrook Ranger Station and Job foraging above lake in evening; Sandhill in riparian area; regular species include and Bald Eagle forage in calmer waters; Corps Center have mixed habitats Crane has nested here; outstanding in Pileated Woodpecker, Western Tanager, Common Merganser in swifter current; associated with buildings and orna- May for spring migrants. Black-headed Grosbeak, and Red- forest birds include Steller’s Jay, Brown mental plantings; good diversity of bird breasted Nuthatch; breeding Northern Creeper, and Hairy Woodpecker; heavy species; both sites host occasional Pygmy-Owl and Saw-whet Owl has summer recreation use. east-side species as migrants such as Sponsor: American Bird Conservancy occurred; Olive-sided Flycatcher at Say’s Phoebe, Western Kingbird, and edge of forest adjacent to meadow in Yellow-headed Blackbird. 28. Timothy Lake summer. Sponsor: Clackamas County Tourism Mt Hood NF, Zig Zag RD. From Hwy 26, 11.4 mi E of Government Camp; S Sponsor: National Forest Foundation on FR 42 (Skyline Road) for 9 mi; W on Sponsor: American Bird Conservancy FR 57 for 2 mi; campgrounds and lake on N side of road.