2 Mt. Hood Hikes Worth the Trek
Vista Ridge to Elk Cove
Looking for a stunning route to Elk Cove that avoids the crowds and tough crossings? This approach via Vista Ridge is a favorite among seasoned hikers. It offers a steady, moderate climb through high country forests recovering from the 2011 Dollar Lake Fire, with wildflowers thriving in the reopened meadows. As you climb toward timberline, the views unfold: glacier-carved valleys, expansive ridges, and eventually Elk Cove itself—one of the most breathtaking alpine meadows on the mountain. Unlike the Cloud Cap route, this trail skips tricky glacial stream crossings and dusty canyon traverses, offering a more peaceful, rewarding path to the same spectacular destination.
Old Vista Ridge to Owl Point
Few hikes offer this much reward for so little effort. The Old Vista Ridge Trail was lost to time until a group of dedicated volunteers uncovered and restored it in 2007—an effort that ultimately gave rise to Trailkeepers of Oregon. Their work reopened a path to stunning Owl Point, with sweeping views of Mount Hood, Laurance Lake, and the Hood River Valley. This is a hike through history and high country: a mellow ramble along wildflower meadows and talus slopes, where old lookout phone lines still peek from the trees and every overlook tells a story. Officially adopted by the USFS in 2018, this trail is one of our proudest successes. The view from Owl Point in the late afternoon light? Unforgettable.
Volunteer Spotlight: Hope McKee
Hope McKee didn’t expect that a simple invitation from a friend would change her life—but that first TKO trail party after the Eagle Creek Fire was just the beginning.
“What kept me coming back was the people,” Hope says. “Everyone was so welcoming—and being in the woods has always been my happy place.”
Since then, Hope has helped lead crews across Oregon, tackling everything from clearing giant trees on the Salmon River Trail to building gabions on the Oneonta Trail. Along the way, trail work gave her something she didn’t expect: confidence.
“I’m not a natural leader, but leading crews gave me a ton of confidence—and some amazing friends.”
Her advice to new volunteers?
“Go for it. It’s fun, we’re nice—and we’ll give you chocolate.”
Hope’s favorite part of TKO is seeing people find connection and purpose through trails—then coming back again and again.
Four Fire Lookouts Worth the Hike
Trail advocate, author, and longtime TKO volunteer Cheryl Hill has visited more than 100 fire lookouts across Oregon. She’s passionate about the stories these places hold—and the trail work that keeps them accessible.
In her latest feature, Cheryl shares four Cascade fire lookouts you can hike to this summer, each offering sweeping views, rich history, and a reminder of what dedicated volunteers help preserve.