It seems as though this mountain rarely gets recognition as a favorite place to go in the NW.
In August I'm planning a 1st time visit to the NW...can anybody recommend Mt. Hood for its hiking and scenery? Does it in any way come close to comparing with Ranier, which gets far more mention.

I will be spending 4 days in Olympic NP and was then thinking of heading to Columbia Gorge area for about 4 days. How long of a drive from the southwest section of Olympic to the Gorge areas that are just east of Portland?
Or, should i stay in WA and spend a few days in Ranier or N. Cascades?
thanks...
Scott

While I'm no hiker, I can recommend a visit to Mt. Hood for the surrounding area. Drive along the Columbia River Gorge Highway (on the Oregon side) and take in the many waterfalls along the way, many with hiking opportunities. Then drive through the Hood River Vally, which in August should be fantastic as all the fruit orchards will be loaded with fruit and the trees will be framed by Mt. Hood in the distance. I have stayed at the Lodge and found it nice, but not memorable; however, the setting is great and there are trails for hiking (which I didn't explore).

Hi, Scott,
I agree with Frank that Mt. Hood would be a good destination, although the crowds at Mt. Hood in mid summer are not especially smaller than those at Mt. Rainier. Timberline Lodge is a national treasure IMO and worth the trip by itself.

If you highball it, the drive from near the SW edge of Olympic NP (say Hoquiam) to Cascade Locks in the Columbia Gorge is around 4 hours, all freeway. However, if you’re a first timer to the NW, might I suggest that you travel from the Olympic Peninsula east via SR 7 and or US 12 (get a road map) past Mt. Rainier (visit to Paradise) and then over the Cascades to Yakima. From Yakima head south on US 97 through the Yakama Indian reservation to Goldendale and the Columbia, stopping if possible at the Maryhill Museum on the Washington side for a surprising hit of high culture (Rodin sculpture and Queen Marie of Romania’s furniture). From there stay on the Washington side of the gorge (not a freeway unlike the Oregon side) and cross over at Hood River, visiting the Hood River Valley and over to Mt. Hood.

After Mt. Hood, back to Hood River, then the Oregon side of the gorge to Multnomah Falls, then up on the old Columbia Gorge highway until it merges with modern civilization. This road was the brain child of the man who built the Maryhill museum, and having visited the museum (and nearby replica of Stonehenge) you’ll get an interesting view of lesser-known NW history. Check out McMenamin’s Edgefield in Troutdale as a good hotel/winery/brewery/movie theater when you’re done, http://www.mcmenamins.com/Edge/

If time permits, this route will expose you to some of the amazing landscape and climate diversity of this wonderful region, along with some pretty interesting human interest sights.

I agree that Timberline Lodge is worth the trip - what a fantastic place! Be aware that in the National Forests around Mt Hood there have been LOTS of car break-ins. If you go for a hike, leave NOTHING in your car, even out of sight, and be sure to have a cell phone to call for help if the #@*%&%s get you.

We live in Portland and we really enjoy Mt. Hood, but it doesn't compare to Mt. Rainier. You'll see some incomparable vistas from the Olympic National Park, especially at Hurricane Ridge, so you may be ready for a different look. In which case, you might take in Mt. St. Helens (the route to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, is phenomenal, as are the NPS facilitites along the way). Also, the Oregon side of the Gorge is lovely. Mt. St. Helens is a full day. The Gorge, taking in the falls is easily another, and you can wind up at Timberline Lodge in the evening. You can't go wrong.