Journal

After camping overnight at Elk Meadows, we got an early start on the day and returned to the Hood River Meadows Trailhead where we ditched our packs. We thought we’d travel light to checkout the Umbrella Falls after not quite making it that far last week when we hiked from Timberline Lodge over to Mt. Hood Meadows and back.

Going clockwise from the trailhead first takes hikers to the top of Sahalie Falls.  David took a short, steep scramble down to the falls for a picture. We continued on for a short but picturesque climb through forest and meadows up to Umbrella Falls. The Falls are spread out on fan-like tiers of rock above a footbridge. There’s a good spot below the bridge to wade or splash around if you are so inclined. David climbed up the north side of the falls to discover a great view of the mountain as well as the main Mt. Hood Meadows ski lodge from the ridge above.

On the return loop, the track crosses through several surprisingly steep ski runs at Mt. Hood Meadows, all of which are overrun with dense fields of wildflowers this time of year.

We were glad to have saved this hike for this Monday morning, and only encountered four other hikers on the loop.