MAG/NÂ STARTING your &Cent at the 3426 metre Mount Hoodsummit. Due For skiers, snow- nearly 2000 metres. The sky is to the low wind and high visibiiiiy, the deep blue, three metres of snow is Magic Mile Chair is operating today, and we grstefulty ride it to over 2100 metres, boarders, climbers, firm underneath ten centimetres of saving hour of fell night, about an ciimfnng effort. fresh powder that in the As vse /cave the shelter of t& few hikers, and even and the shining peak the Natrue remaining trees, a lidt breeze picks up. AmericansI called Wy 'Eastseems nearly close enough to touch; yet it will take sail boarders, the several hours mere4 to crest its shoulder. majestic hunt The early morning light casts a pink glow, - raising distinctive shadows near each ridge and valley, all clearly visible here peted by a wonderfu? spectacle, as most above the timberfifte, where only a fm of the Oregon Cascades spread out before twisted, flagged sub-alpine fir dare to But we North Oregon, is a exist. A gray jay swoops nearby, perhaps us in early morning relief. are hoping it wiij be sharing our breakfast headed up, andthe view will inerease soon. We stick climbing skins onto our with each stn'de. Now the real work true year-round telemark skis, rub on some leueZ 21 sun- begins.. block, and prepare to head off for destination Illumination Saddle, a high pass betsseen Huffiag and puffing, we trudge up the the 2909 metre I//umination Rock and last 700 metres toward the saddle, Outdoor* (lhstmld June /July 19'" skimming the edgy of Palmer Glacier, A skier walks dwsn off the mountain (left) home of the only a//-summerlift-serviced having made the climb (using sktas) in the skiing in the United States, The Palmer early morning. ~laa?~and nearby Zipg Glader are A snoveboanler (&lows} demonstrates adat still connectedby snow. By turfy July this acrobatics can be achieved in this mAng part of the trip wou/dprobably require a ness sport. walk over to the Iwa rid@ separating the twogfacim. A hammered brass sign (bottom)noting the ....................................................................................... salientpoints about Timbertine L+ and Nm themica/ demand iftmases, as Mount Hood,hang QÃ the 92'chimney in the me side-kill'across Zipg Glacier. Those main lobby. fortunate enough to have adjustablepoles lensfhen their downhillpole and shorten their uphW'polefor the ftna f push. The p&,until nws a steady I -in-3, steepens, and we make a series of kick- turn switch backs to reach the saddle. Water bottles andtrail snacks are passed around, climbing skins ere removed, and we settle in for some fantastic si&-seeing. To the west, a hazy, somewhatpolluted view of the Portland skyline presents itself, but to the south, the clear 'day aIIom views of nearly all the Ot~g08Cascade volcanoes, as far south as the rim of Crater Lake, 250 kilometres goingto feel, andinner away. In betvseen the white w/ranoes, the deliberation over the menu in Cascade Mountak undulate in row after Timberline? internationally acclaimed ross of fir-clad ridges, tumbling &//er one restaurant. another Mebreakers on the shore. A few ............................ .......... of the more adventurous in thegroup push up the flank of Illumination Rock to try some steep-terrain turns. 1he sun has lamed the wind-Docked A ]though excellent back country snow into just the right consistency of corn adventures like these abound, for effortless turns, with a hollow here Timberline has six lifts for serving the and therefiZ/ed mth blown-in powder to traditional alpine skier. Most trails are test the skt2Ied anddump the unwmy. well suited to the intermediate skier or Soon the whole group & whooping and advanced beginner. The Betsy Chair groomed half-pipe, weekly races, and a hollering in glee, some carving fqe, provides a comfortable "first time everw well-stocked rental shop. gracefultelmarks, others charging down environment, while the summer-only the fall line in quick, linkedjump tarns. Palmer Chair provides challenges for the The even grade and proximity of back Am/down the faU line it is, for vse are not experienced skier far up on the steeper country adventures make Timberline a heading directfy back to Tmberiine, but slopes of the mountain between May and favourite among telemark skiers, who southwest, strai'sftt down the Zipg September. And many who desire greater often congregate on the runs feeding the Glacier,for Paradire Part, where alpine excitement carry their alpine skis further Blossom Chair. Several broad trails run vnldf/okare spotted as early as May. up, a few adrenaline freaks actually all the way down to Government Camp Over a kilometreof descent is enjoyed - skiing off the rope-and-crampon-pitch of and a combination of lift and shuttle bus before hitting the timlwriine and the the summit. makes a kilometre of vertical drop over Timberiine Trail, which circumsen'bes the the eleven kilometre distance from the mountain and. together with the sun rrnbcrlinc is a pioneer in the field of top of the Magic Mile Chair to /ossen'ftg in the &t, signaIs that it is time snowboarding, and snowboarders love Government Camp possible. to beffn heading back. jumping off the walls of the natural ..................................................................................... chutes formed by the many small summer access to the Palmer Chair Now,tired muscles exact a fitting tollfor canyons in the area. Unlike some areas makes the ungroomcd Zigzag Glacier allthatfun wesoeffortlessfyenjoyed that have banished snowboarding, even easier to get to. When the Palmer earlier,for Zi-g Canyon fkbetvseen us Timberline makes them welcome with a Chair stops running in early e September (tor lack of skiers, not lack of snow), the free-wheelers have the whole glacier to themselves. Unless you have one leg longer than the other, cross- country ski options on the side of a volcano are somewhat limited. Many set out on the Timberline Trail, travelling as far as Zigzag Canyon and back for an easy, six kilometre day trip. know campers sometimes travel the entire 50 kilometres ofthe Timberline Trail on cross-country skis, but that is best left to those who are familiar with the trail, since it is not easily followed in the winter. Better opportunities for cross- country skiing abound within a short distance of Government Camp, with the 10 kilometre loop around Trillium Lake a favourite among beginners, since the Forest Service grooms and sets track around the lake periodically. certainly, Mount Hood is a place for skiing. English admiral Lord Hood could not have imagined what joy this volcano would someday bring when he sent Vancouver on his voyage of discovery near the end of the 18th century. Few glaciated mountains in the world receive so many visitors, and only one, Mount Fuji, serves more climbers. Although sometimes referred to as the "tourist route," the south-side approach requires ropes and crampons for the last 500 metres. Its disparaging nickname belies the lives lost on the route, usually due to poor judgment about weather or poor navigation skills. Magnetic declination is 200 east; neither is the fall line a reliable indicator. Following a magnetic heading back down deceptively follows the fall tine, right over the 600 ' metre cliff of Mississippi Head. Following the fall line higher up could lead you into the deep crevasses of White River Glacier. Yet-, in good visibility, the south-side route is outstanding for ready access and magnificent views. There is a wonderful glissade back down. iA ]though climbers give the mountain little rest in any season, early spring is ! Outdoors Illustrated June 1 July 1% pp- the the best climbing time. Most parties The view from hear summit of~ount Eastern travel brings you into the 1 Hood, showing Ttmberiine L+ in the depart between 1 and a.m. in order to broad, open White River Canyon, and 4 foreground with the peak of Mount Jeffet~on l. eventually into neighbouring Mount : reach the top by early morning. This not (over 45 miles assay) visible above the clouds only avoids coming down in late Hood Meadows Ski Area. Hiking west l afternoon, when sun-loosened rocks three kilometres to Zigzag Canyon leaves begin to hail down from the Steel Cliffs, you just below the imposing cliff of but also allows you to watch the sunrise, Mississippi Head. Southbound hikers and observe the shadow of the mountain, can reach Government Camp with ease seen only from airplanes and by climbers. on a number of trails, which is a favorite for families, since it is downhill, with a Climbers are required to check in and shuttle service back up. Government out, and an active search and rescue team Camp offers even more opportunities for is available to help those who encounter hiking. A trip to the top of 1545 metire problems, but it is a good idea for those Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain reveals with less experience to seek out other Mount Hood in its entirety, as well as climbers their first time. glimpses of Mount St Helens and Mount Adams in Washington State. Older hikers Soloists can generally find groups to and families with small children will rope in with at Hogsback, 300 metres appreciate the relatively flat 10 kilometre below the summit. loop around Trillium Lake, or shorter trails to Mirror Lake or Enid Lake. - HIKINGFOR ALL* Perhaps the most travelled backpacking Emberline Lodge is a favourite starting circuit in the area is the 50 kilometre point for scenic day-hiking in any Timberline Trail. This trail completely direction, although the peak and alpine circumscribes the mountain, with about meadows above the timberline draw three-quarters of the distance being in most visitors north like a magnet.