Mount Hood is closed

Thinking of getting up to Mount Hood for a hike? A night under the stars? A paddle across an alpine lake?

The coronavirus has two words for you: Think again.

Today, the Mt. Hood National Forest announced that it has temporarily closed all campgrounds, day-use sites, trailheads, Sno-Parks, fire lookouts, OHV areas and other developed recreation sites on the Mt. Hood National Forest.”

The reason, of course, is COVID-19 and the effort to contain it. In the Forest Service’s words, the closures aim to “support state and local measures directing people to stay home to save lives.”

The closures will be in effect until at least May 8, 2020.

Until we can get back out there, a few photos from some favorite Mount Hood sites.