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< Previous10 mthoodterritory.com HIT THE TRAIL Lace up your boots and explore the diverse trails that wind through Mt. Hood Territory. Whether you’re seeking a challenging summit climb or a peaceful nature walk, the region’s extensive network of trails provides immersion in lush forests, views of cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes and the iconic snow-capped peak itself. Hopkins Demonstration Forest , situated between Oregon City and Molalla, is a 140-acre forest with more than five miles of trails with rest stops at Forest Hall, a covered picnic shelter and an amphitheater. The nonprofit organization Forests Forever owns and manages Hopkins and upholds its theme, “Where learning and growing go hand in hand,” while promoting sustainable forestry on its family owned woodlands. Visitors are welcome to join in the forest management pursuit through tree planting, brush control, riparian upkeep and pruning and harvesting a mix of tree species. Hopkins has welcomed several new exhibits over the past five years. The 65-foot-tall Clatskanie Mountain fire lookout tower now stands at the edge of its parking lot, a structure that has been relocated several times from its original home. The move from Magness Tree Farm to Hopkins was more than 10 years in the making and required skilled craftsmen who could dismantle it and rebuild it to its original grandeur. Another building visitors can now see at Hopkins was also moved several times, elevating its mystery. According to 1900s architecture historians, the Molalla Log House may be the oldest structure in the Pacific Northwest, predating the Lewis and Clark expedition. But who built it, exactly where and why, no one knows. Visitors of all ages interested in forestry, woodcraft, architecture and history will enjoy the Molalla Log House’s woodcraft, taking time to ponder the culture of the builders who made this building so long ago. At Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville, hikers can enjoy access to a 250-acre preserved swath of land thanks to the efforts of volunteers who planted more than 150,000 Riverside TrailMount Talbert Nature Parkmthoodterritory.com 11 native trees and shrubs in the early 2000s. For an easy walk, the Tonquin Trail is a roughly 3-mile paved walkway with universal access. The park’s longest stretch, the Ice Age Tonquin Trail, runs 22 miles and welcomes walkers, joggers and bikers on a dynamic journey through the landscape’s geologic history. Another key attraction is the Elder Oak, an estimated 200-year-old Oregon white oak surrounded by 15,000 planted saplings, which nurture the oak savanna. The Flag Mountain Trail, also a 3-miler, runs along a 2,500- foot ridge above the Zigzag River and features brilliant views of Mt. Hood and its foothills. Because of its lower elevation, the moderate trail is accessible nearly year-round, and come spring, an abundance of rhododendron and dogwood blooms make an appearance. The Riverside Trail, stretching 3.7 miles from Rainbow Campground to Riverside Campground east of Estacada, offers a scenic out and back route through old growth forests along the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. The trail features gradual climbs and occasional grade changes, showcasing river views, a beach area and impressive stands of ancient trees. Located in West Linn, Mary S. Young Park is a peaceful retreat offering easy to moderate forest trails that loop along the Willamette River. The 130-acre park also has sports fields, picnicking facilities and dog parks. This heavily wooded terrain is a favorite for urban birders and feels a world away from the buzz of urban life. Another nearby city park that teems with natural exploration is Mount Talbert Nature Park , where deer, western tanagers, white-breasted nuthatches, pileated and hairy woodpeckers, and western gray squirrels roam around the extinct volcano and its four miles of trail networks. Though some trails vary in challenge, the park offers wheelchair-accessible trails including the Mather Road Trailhead, a short interpretive walk on gravel through a native prairie. When adventuring on the trails, you “otter” pack the U.S. Forest Service’s 10 essentials. Find the packing list at omht.us/10essentials. Graham Oaks Nature Park12 mthoodterritory.com GO WITH THE FLOW Of all the mighty waterways in Oregon, the Willamette River is one of only two designated as a National Water Trail. From high mountain streams and lakes, the Willamette flows northward to the Columbia River, offering accessible waterways and creating a paradise for boating enthusiasts of all kinds. Through cityscapes and farmlands, forests and parks, the Willamette River Water Trail stretches 187 miles long, welcoming paddlers on canoes, kayaks, SUPs and rafts to travel by day at designated put-ins and access points, and to sleep under the stars at numerous campsites lining its lush shores. Drop into history with a paddle in Oregon City, the famed endpoint of the Oregon Trail. There, Willamette Falls , a 1,500-foot-wide horseshoe-shaped natural waterway — one of the widest and most voluminous falls in the United States — beckons water enthusiasts to embrace its cascading power. Oregon City-based outfitter eNRG Kayaking hosts the Willamette Falls Trip for kayakers of all abilities and history buffs at the base of the falls where an introduction to paddling coincides with tidbits of the region’s geographic and historical pasts. Chinook salmon, smallmouth bass and sturgeon accompany you from below, while osprey and herons soar overhead. Three miles upstream, Willamette Park and Bernert Landing in West Linn invite paddlers to the geologic beauty of the Willamette Narrows, a protected and preserved natural area characterized by basalt rock formations creating coves and channels in the river. The paddle craft put-in is an easy access point for an out and back journey where the Tualatin and Willamette rivers meet. Navigate the nooks and crannies of the Narrows to Little Rock Island. Look for osprey, great blue heron, beaver, mink and an occasional river otter who might show up for photo ops. For more adventure, head farther upstream to witness the volcanic rock formation of Hog Island. George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego is a perfect launching point with instruction from certified paddlers at Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe river outfitters and paddling school. Offering canoes, SUPs and kayaks, Alder Creek makes river travel accessible to all. And George Rogers Park, in the heart of Lake Oswego, features a serene landscape of grasslands, forests and wetlands, providing a beautiful place to picnic before and after your Willamette River excursion. Willamette FallsMIDWEEK ON THE MOUNTAIN Mt. Hood has become a premier winter destination, drawing visitors with its abundant powder, two world-class ski resorts and a wealth of snow sports. One resort boasts the nation’s highest vertical drop, while the other features the largest night skiing area in the U.S. Add to that cross- country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobile tours, and it’s no surprise that Mt. Hood is a winter paradise. But how do you avoid the crowds? Visit midweek! You’ll enjoy shorter lift lines, more time on the slopes and often better deals on passes and accommodations. TIMBERLINE LODGE & SKI AREA At 6,000 feet on Mt. Hood, historic Timberline Lodge is Oregon’s only ski-in, ski-out lodge. Its high elevation supports a winter season typically stretching from mid-November through May and the longest vertical terrain in the U.S. at 4,540 feet. Timberline also features snow tubing at Summit Pass and a 1/2-mile groomed snowshoe trail near the lodge. MT. HOOD SKIBOWL While Mt. Hood Skibowl’s Snow Tube and Adventure Park — including nighttime Cosmic Tubing complete with laser lights and music — is a weekend-only attraction, Mt. Hood Skibowl’s slopes are ideal for midweek skiing and riding. As the closest ski area to Portland, Skibowl is famous for its challenging terrain, 36 illuminated night skiing runs and historic mid-mountain Warming Hut. MT. HOOD OUTFITTERS Winter adventures on Mt. Hood aren’t limited to skiing and snowboarding. Mt. Hood Outfitters offers thrilling snowmobile tours through Mt. Hood National Forest, with discounted rates during weekdays. For those seeking a more active experience, daily snowshoe or cross-country ski tours are available. Guided tours are a fantastic way to safely explore new activities and learn about the region. Sno-Park permits are required from November 1–April 30. Find Oregon designated Sno-Parks at omht.us/snoparks. THIS PHOTO: Snowboarding at Timberline Lodge & Ski Area BOTTOM: Cross-country skiing in Mt. Hood National Forest mthoodterritory.com | 13 Fiala Farms in West Linn Tollen Farm in Wilsonville Sandy River Studio ceramics class at Flying Coyote Farm in Sandy 14 mthoodterritory.com JOURNEY TO THE FIELDS WHERE DEDICATION AND NATURE YIELD THE SEASON’S BOUNTYmthoodterritory.com 15 GATHER & FEAST Embrace the field-to-fork, farm-to-table experience in the bountiful landscapes across Mt. Hood Territory. The region’s organic, sustainable farmers take it one step further by offering farm tours and markets, u-pick excursions, community supported agriculture (CSA) subscriptions and cooking classes. Venture south of Lake Oswego to Our Table Cooperative in Sherwood for its nationally recognized Table in the Field on-farm dining series. Celebrate special occasions with brunches and dinners inspired by ingredients nourished by the year-round flow of nearby Rock Creek. The co-op’s neighborhood-style farm store offers farm fresh items, touting 90% Oregon sourced and 80% organic items. Fir Point Farms near Canby serves up a bit of nostalgia with its freshly baked goods, deli sandwiches, country Our Table Cooperative market, farm animals, pumpkin patch and Harvest Festival. Enjoy good old-fashioned farm fun year-round, Tuesdays–Saturdays. In Wilsonville, the 17-acre Middleground Farms invites culinary fans to The Kitchen, a refurbished cattle barn with elegant cooking and dining spaces surrounded by a culinary garden, wine bar, chickens, goats and cows. With the motto, “Bringing you closer to the source of your food,” Middleground encourages visitors to grab an apron and engage in a menu of class offerings or enjoy farm fresh dinners and happy hours in a community of fellow food enthusiasts. Choose from an array of quintessential farms and vineyards for a celebration with Field & Vine Events . Seven courses and regional Oregon wine pairings highlight these family- style dinners curated by top chefs and sommeliers inspired by ingredients straight from the host farm. Tented venues or refashioned barns and expansive outdoor spaces make for elevated events rooted in the land, rain or shine.16 mthoodterritory.com BLOOMING FIELDS As spring blooms begin to wake from winter slumber, tulips are some of the first to raise their heads. As early as March, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm hosts fields of color and iconic backgrounds in Woodburn, making it hard to put down the camera. Reserve a timed entry ticket for a weekday, especially Tuesdays, for fewer people in your photos’ backgrounds. Wooden Shoe recently extended its growing season into late summer with sunflowers, Teddy Bear sunflowers, cosmos, calendula, bachelor button, zinnia and godetia. Following the sun, the stalky-stemmed bright sunflower raises its head east to west following its namesake. At Yesteryear Farms in Wilsonville, visitors can meander on a mile-long sunflower trail extending through acres of fields with more than 30 varieties of the sun-loving beauties at its annual Sunflower Festival. Enjoy a photographic stroll in daylight or at sunset, and find blooms to take home. The farm also hosts a farmers market on Saturdays with food, flowers and dog treat vendors. Continue your celebration of sunflowers just outside of Tualatin at Stafford Acres’ August Sunflower Festival where you can cut your own blooms, browse the flower market and hike through a sunflower pasture. Dahlias can grow as large as dinner plates, hence the award winning Dahlia Dinnerplate variety. The multigenerational Swan Island Dahlias farm in Canby honors the dahlia with rows of color across nearly 50 acres and more than 375 varieties. The season flourishes in August and September with its Annual Dahlia Festival, and all are welcome to take a peek. Visitors with red- green color blindness can temporarily borrow a free pair of EnChroma glasses to bring more colors to life for a vibrant, joyful experience. Whether seeking dahlia tubers, potted, fresh-cut or photos, Swan Island is a celebration of these floral glories. Enter the world of the clematis, where blooms of starlike whites, rosy trumpets and purple fairy caps dazzle all who witness their splendor. At the Rogerson Clematis Garden in Lake Oswego’s Luscher Farm City Park, visitors can admire more than 2,300 individual clematis representing approximately 940 species and varieties. July promises the blossoms’ colorful peak, but at Rogerson’s, something is always in bloom. Swan Island Dahlias Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm Rogerson Clematis Gardenmthoodterritory.com 17 FIND YOUR PERFECT PICK Once called “The Promised Land” by Oregon Trail pioneers, Mt. Hood Territory still overflows with bounty. With its rolling hills and fertile valleys, the region is a haven for u-pick enthusiasts seeking fresh, flavorful experiences. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of picking your own produce, so here are some farms where you can grab a basket and take in the fresh air while enjoying the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. BERRY BLISS Summertime in Mt. Hood Territory is synonymous with berry picking. From the sweet allure of strawberries to the tangy delight of raspberries, there’s a berry for every palate. South Barlow Berries, a family-run farm in Canby, offers a rainbow of berry varieties. For an organic experience, head to Organic Sweet Home Blues in Sherwood. This certified organic blueberry farm offers eight varieties of blueberries ripening at different times. Find recipes from Momma Steffeck on its website to put your harvest to good use. Closer to the mountain in Eagle Creek, Captain Blueberry is an eight-acre farm boasting five different varieties, ensuring a long harvest season from early July through mid-September. Purchase fresh and frozen berries, blueberry plants and jam. BEYOND BERRIES Many farms introduce u-pick tomatoes, corn and other summer vegetables as the season progresses. Morning Shade Farm in Canby cultivates a variety of orchard fruits, such as apples, pears and plums, alongside its berry selection. MoonRidge Farms in Beavercreek boasts a unique combination of u-pick lavender and blueberries. While there, learn about yacon, an intriguing South American plant gaining popularity. Also making its home in Beavercreek, Albeke Farms offers peaches, apples, corn, tomatoes and (of course!) berries. You can also choose to shop at its farm stand to stock up on fresh-picked goodness. Blueberries at MoonRidge Farms TIP: Farmlandia and South Clackamas Farm Loops are both in Mt. Hood Territory’s backyard. On these self-guided tour routes, explore dozens of farms, markets and eateries at your own pace.18 mthoodterritory.com FOUR SEASONS OF FARMS Each season in Mt. Hood Territory dishes up a special array of delights. Here’s how to celebrate every time of year in this remarkable agricultural region. SPRING Farm animals are always a joy to see, but spring is the best time for anyone wanting to see cute, furry and fuzzy babies! Greet baby alpacas, goats, llamas and more at farms across the region. At Triskelee Farm , you can meet baby ostriches and feed the older ones. Look for the farm’s spring baby animal tours. At plant nurseries, stock up on hanging baskets, native and wetland plants, wildflowers and a wide array of trees and shrubs. Don’t miss Stoller Farms in Molalla, open mid-April through early June, with magnificent hanging baskets. Bosky Dell Natives in West Linn is a Pacific Northwest native-plant nursery with more than 3,000 species of shrubs, trees and wildflowers, such as camas and trillium. Visit its pond for a chance to see red-legged frogs and tree frogs. And Secret Garden Growers in Canby is a magical country nursery where plants grow while listening to soft music. SUMMER Farmers markets typically begin opening in mid-May throughout Mt. Hood Territory and are in full swing come summer. Milwaukie , Oregon City , Lake Oswego and Estacada all host major markets, which makes it easy to buy farm-direct for the freshest produce. Visit hungry! In addition to fruits, veggies, dairy, meat, cut flowers, potted plants and prepared grocery items, most markets also serve hot prepared foods to enjoy right there. Don’t miss the breakfast sandwiches at the Fried Egg I’m in Love in Oregon City or the wild fermented pastries at Tabor Bread in Milwaukie. Summer is also a great time to stop by regional farm stands. Willamette Valley Melon Company hosts several stands in Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market Baby ostrich at Triskelee Farmmthoodterritory.com 19 Molalla and Canby, offering everything from its famous watermelon varieties to squashes, cantaloupe, tomatoes and sweet corn. Hartnell Farms in Clackamas offers tons of produce at its on-farm stand, including fresh peppers, Romano and green beans, and pickling cucumbers. If you’re in Lake Oswego, Parsons Farms has a stand in the middle of the Kruse Village parking lot with strawberries, raspberries, asparagus and carrots. For those passing through Boring, you won’t want to miss USDA-certified organic blueberries and blackberries at the Liepold Farms farmstand. FALL As the days start to shorten, snuggle into your most festive seasonal sweater and head out to one of Mt. Hood Territory’s many autumn celebrations. You can cut an outrageous decorative gourd at the Historic Kirchem Farm in Oregon City, which grows 35 different heirloom pumpkin, squash and gourd varieties. Fiala Farms in West Linn has a corn maze known by locals as one of the most challenging, with more than two miles of trails for spooky fun. Bushue’s Family Farm in Boring offers a pumpkin patch, pig train and big savings on Thursdays. Also in Boring, Dolan Creek Farm has farm animals waiting for affection, forested trails around the farm for a crisp fall walk, an on-farm bakery, Doug’s Donuts and farm-made jams. Visit multiple farms for major fun and stay at Dolan Creek’s The Lodge or The Suite (or both for larger groups). WINTER Start a new holiday tradition by cutting your own Christmas tree at a Mt. Hood Territory farm. The region is one of the top tree-producing areas in the nation. Snowline Farm in Molalla grows 10 acres of trees, primarily naturally grown noble firs. It also has a wide variety of wreaths and garlands for sale. At Hughes Family Tree Farm in Estacada, enjoy free hot chocolate and s’mores by a fire after picking the perfect u-cut from thousands of grand, noble and Douglas firs. Merrywood Farm in the Oregon City area offers u-cut and pre-cut trees and even complimentary pony rides for kids on the weekends. Nearby, Hemphill Farms has excellent photo ops with complimentary train rides and regular Santa visits. You “otter” follow farm rules. Please remember that Mt. Hood Territory’s farms are working farms. Check their websites or call before visiting to confirm the best etiquette. Hayride at Fir Point Farms U-cut Christmas tree farmNext >