Mt. Hood National Forest

Avalanche Awareness

Avalanche Awareness Program Offered

People interested in learning more about avalanches and avalanche safety are invited to attend one of two free programs to be presented on February 21 and March 21.  The programs have been offered throughout this winter season.  The remaining two sessions that are planned begin at 7p.m. and will be held at the Mt. Hood Cultural Museum in Government Camp, Oregon. 

Roland Emetaz of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center and Jim Thornton of the Barlow Ranger District of Mt. Hood National Forest are the program presenters.  Avalanche awareness, field indicators of avalanche danger, and tips on how to travel more safely are a few of the topics discussed.  Depending on conditions and avalanche danger, often postponing a trip to the back country can also be the best option.   Please call Jim Thornton at 541-467-2291 for more information. 

Be sure to check the avalanche forecast before going into backcountry areas.

Northern Oregon Avalanche Forecast Summary

Hourly Mountain Weather Map

Detailed Mountain Weather Forecast

Forecast: Northern Oregon Cascades

Avalanche Control at Mt. Hood Meadows

Mt. Hood Meadows uses remote delivery systems including artillery for avalanche reduction.

Avalanche control work may occur at anytime within the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Area Boundary.

more information

Winter Advisory:  Parking Adjacent to Mirror Lake Trail Now Inaccessible.

Due to safety issues related to traffic on Highway 26, Oregon Department of Transportation recently closed the area between Highway 26 and the Mirror Lake Trail to vehicle parking.

Although the Mirror Lake Trail is one of the most popular summer trails on Mt. Hood National Forest, the trail was never signed or managed as a winter trail.  People have begun parking vehicles during the winter in recent years in the area adjacent to the Mirror Lake Trailhead even though the location is not designated as a winter Sno*Park.  Please be aware that violators will be ticketed by the Oregon State Police and towed.  People are also cautioned not to park on highway shoulders. 

Informal winter use of the Mirror Lake has increased during the last few winters.  Mt. Hood National Forest plans to explore ways to manage increased winter use. The public is encouraged to use nordic ski trails and snow shoe trails in the Government Camp area. 

Good Things Happening in the Sandy River Basin

Many opportunities to become involved in habitat restoration projects exit.  Click on the link below for more information.

On October 19, 2007, Marmot Dam, the largest dam ever to be removed in Oregon, was dismantled allowing the Sandy River to be free flowing for the first time in nearly 100 years. 

In 2008, the Little Sandy Dam will also be removed, improving access to over 100 miles of salmon and steelhead habitat on the Mt. Hood National Forest.

On December 17, 2007, the City of Portland and the Mt. Hood National Forest signed the new Bull Run Watershed Management Unit Agreement.  This Agreement now serves as a partnership guide for the long term stewardship of the Bull Run, the source of Portland's drinking water. 

Link to more information

Watershed Education Program

The goal of the Mt. Hood National Forest Watershed Education Program is to provide rural schools with a unique resource that brings a locally significant view of watersheds and gives students a view of aquatics based science in the areas of fisheries, hydrology and soils. Our hope is to give students an understanding of the importance of their own local watershed.

Link to Watershed Education

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