You'll immediately recognize the scene from the colorful labels of old fruit packing crates.įrom here, follow any number of back roads up the east side of the valley, returning on the west side. Mt Hood and the surrounding acres of orchards, farms, and forests. Here, the entire valley stretches out below, offering sweeping views of 11,239 ft. Over thirty percent of the nation's winter pears are harvested here, along with a variety of apples, berries, peaches, and cherries.Īny visit must begin with a stop at Panorama Point, off East Side Road a few miles south of Hood River. Located about 45 minutes east of Portland by way of the Columbia Gorge, and directly south of the town of Hood River, the area is Oregon's largest fruit growing region. It's a 35-mile scenic meander through the fruit orchards, small towns, and back roads of the Hood River Valley. No, the Fruit Loop is not the name of a candy treat, a Carmen Miranda earring, or a ride at the state fair. But it is truly a classic route that is one of the best in the entire country.Harvest Season along the Fruit Loop By Pat Snider With 9,000 feet of elevation gain throughout, there are plenty of ups and downs. Timberline Trail: Backpackers will love this 38-mile trail that takes them deep into the wilderness, circumnavigating Mount Hood in the process.At 3.3 miles in length, this is a fairly easy out-and-back stroll through the forest that will immerse you in the backcountry throughout. Tamanawas Falls: While this hike doesn't offer the trademark views of the mountain it does take trekkers to an amazing waterfall instead.The views of Mount Hood from the summit are fantastic, too, only adding to the sense of satisfaction. Mount Defiance: This 12-mile long route takes hikers up more than 4800 feet in elevation, providing breathtaking views of the national forest along the way.The payoff is another pristine mountain lake with Mount Hood dominating the skyline. Mirror Lake: Although this trail is just 2.1 miles in length, it does feature more than 700 feet of vertical gain, providing a good workout along the way.The route is a favorite among photographers looking to capture the mountain reflected in the clear waters. Trillium Lake Loop: This two-mile long loop trail makes for a short, but scenic hike, with picture-perfect views of Mount Hood at nearly every turn.

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