A 5 Mountain Day in Honor of the 4th of July

In honor of the long holiday weekend and in honor of the promise from the weatherman for a clear and warm Independence Day, I decided to head towards Mt Hood. I have passed the parking area for the trailhead of Mirror Lake multiple times, but have never actually stopped. I went with intention today. There are always lots and Lots and LOTS of cars, so I decided I would get up at the crack of dawn (almost, about 40 minutes shy of when the sun actually rose, in other words, 6am, which is a whole hour earlier than I can pull myself out of bed on a day I have to go to work) and got in my car with lunch and water and camera ready for the trail. I was on the trail just before 8am. It was cold and the air was brisk and fresh. I had lots of layers on and even wore my gloves. It was worth it.

Trailhead above; felled logs below.
Because of the altitude, flowers that bloom in spring in PDX were just starting. Here you can see some Rhododendron blossoms just getting ready to pop.

Here are some that just popped!

Trillium abound...and they were gorgeous, some white, some pink, some purple.

First glimpses of Mt Hood once I got to Mirror Lake.

A poor attempt at getting me and Mt Hood in the picture...not great lighting.

Mt Hood reflected in Mirror Lake.

My arms aren't long enough....apparently. :)

I hadn't necessarily planned on conitnuing to hike up Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain once I made it to Mirror Lake. I decided that I couldn't pass it up though. Once I got up past one of the switchbacks snow patches started appearing.

Lots of snow in July!

Once I arrived at the top of Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain I was in awe of the phenomenal view. It was what climbers here refer to as a 5 mountain kind of day. It was clear enough that you could see all 5 major mountain peaks in the area, Mt Hood, Mt Adams, Mt Rainier, Mt St Helen's and Mt Jefferson. I can't even describe how amazing it was to see each snow-capped peak in all the gorgeous sunshine placed almost strategically around the horizon tucked away in the folds of the hills and among the cloudless, aqua blue sky.

The first mountain I saw was Jefferson straight ahead...

Then I turned around and was greeted by Mt St Helen's...

....and then Rainier....

...and then Adams and Hood....

....I couldn't get enough of the mountains....look at those rolling hills leading up to Jefferson.

I settled up on a rock about 4 feet tall that had the most perfect little cranny that was just the right size for a person to curl up in and I basked in the sun with four peaks in my line of site and the fifth right behind me. I had taken a notebook and pen and wrote. I thought. I got sunburned and didn't even know it. I was thankful for such majesty and that I am privileged enough to see and appreciate the beauty. I also enjoyed my lunch among the silence.

These are two of the peaks (look like bumps) of Tom, Dick & Harry. The two that are not accessible are refuges for Peregrine Falcons.

Mt Hood with Mirror Lake below.

I love this picture....me staring at Mt Hood.

Blue sky, white snow-capped mountain, green trees, more green trees, SNOW, and my feet.

Shortly, lots of people started arriving and after about an hour and a half of amazing views, I headed down.

But, I got to enjoy more views on my way down.

All in all, it was a great hike. A great way to celebrate America's birthday. There are mixed reviews of the mileage...a few sources say 5.8 miles from the parking area to the lake, around the lake and then up to Tom, Dick & Harry. A few other sources say 6.8 and my pedometer-less legs couldn't guess if you made them, though my hips probably could.

I knew it was a smart move to get there early, I was one of four cars when I parked. By the time I got done with the hike (about 1pm) my car had been joined by about 40 others...

....they even wrapped around the curve of the highway....

...and I pulled out and went home!

I wasn't successful in napping in order to make it to firework time and like I told a friend of mine, I fell alseep right as the fireworks were starting because I am cool and old like that! Haha! :)

Hope you all had a great day celebrating the freedoms we have in this beautiful country and those that fight to keep it that way! Happy 4th of July!