Being an Oregonian and loving the outdoors seem to go hand in hand. In fact, if you ask most Oregon folk what activities they enjoy most, I can wager a guess that many of them will put ‘hiking’ somewhere at or near the top of the list. While I am currently 30, I really just started getting serious about hiking in the past year and a half. In that time span I have been lucky enough to be able to get out on a hike at least once a month (weather permitting) and have discovered some truly exceptional/share-worthy locations. With that being said, I would like to make it a habit of sharing some of my favorite hikes within the Pacific Northwest in hopes that it might inspire some of you to get out explore.
Stats: 6.2 miles round trip, Approx. 1600 feet elevation gain
Area: Government Camp
Trailhead: Mirror Lake Trailhead
This is a fairly moderate hike that begins at the Mirror Lake Trailhead. This trailhead is especially easy to spot as it is located right off of Highway 26. In the summer, Tom Dick & Harry offers up an excellent opportunity for hiking or trail running up to the summit, and in the winter this trail is especially great for snowshoeing. I personally got to experience this hike at the end of September of 2015. The day itself was actually quite overcast in my hometown, but as I got closer to government camp, the clouds began to dissipate and were eventually replaced with sun and blue skies.
The first 1.4 miles is comprised of mostly dirt trails
The trail starts off through dense forest and features a series of switchbacks and a few log bridges. At approximately 1.4 miles, there will be a 3rd bridge leading to a loop around Mirror Lake (which I highly recommend doing if you have the time). If you opt to skip the Mirror Lake loop, you will want to make sure you stay to the right. Doing so will keep you en route to the summit of Tom Dick & Harry.
A glimpse of Mt. Hood from the trail
The trail will begin to gently climb and offers up views of highway 26 as well as brief glimpses of Mount Hood and the Zigzag Mountain high country. After some more gradual climbing (and you will notice the elevation gain), at approximately 2.5 miles in, you will come across a large rock pile that indicates a sharp left turn towards the summit. From there you will meander through an open lodgepole forest for a half a mile, eventually reaching a more steep, rocky section of trail. Keep climbing the rock terrain and soon you will reach the west summit of Tom Dick & Harry Mountain.
The trail right after the rock pile
At the summit you are treated to views of Mount Hood and Mirror Lake, below, as well as views of Mt. Jefferson to the south. On a super clear day, the village of Government Camp and Timberline Lodge can also be seen.
Summit view: Mt. Hood & Mirror Lake
Mt. Jefferson off in the distance
Driving directions: Drive US 26 to one mile west of Government Camp on Mt Hood. The trailhead is located on the south shoulder of Highway 26. In the rare instance that there are no other cars parked there, look for a log footbridge spanning Camp Creek, just east of milepost 51.
Additional trail resources:
