Splendor in the Bear Grass

Went for an overnight "quickie" up to Mirror Lake on Mount Hood. Laura has not been backpacking since Fall 2007, and was ready to get back into the wild. I had been drooling over the pictures of bear grass that hikers were posting in trip reports on portlandhikers.org and decided Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain would be worth braving the crowds. The last time we were on this trail, Mirror Lake was covered in snow and we encountered gale-force winds at the summit. The wildflowers and vistas were spectacular even with all the noise from OR-26, which sounded like race day at PIR. Hope you enjoy the pictures...

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packing up the Jeep before hitting Hwy 26


swatting away mosquitoes at campsite by Mirror Lake


Max running on the trail



Mt. Hood playing peek-a-boo


Laura on the trail w/rhododendrons, lupine and bear grass - oh, my!


at the summit of Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain


the gang at the summit


columbine in front of vista of Mirror Lake and Mt. Hood


Mt. Hood


back down the trail...


more rhodies and bear grass


another view of Mt. Hood and, yes, more bear grass!


Mirror Lake w/Mt. Hood


pooped puppies in the car


traffic in Sandy (fortunately going the opposite direction)