Mt. Hood in late summer. Photo by Richard Hallman.
Labor Day weekend has come and gone, the weather is getting cooler, and the leaves are starting to change. Signs of fall are beginning to show, and at Mt. Hood Meadows, we have now wrapped up summer operations for the 2021 season.
Rock cairn along a summer tail. Photo by Josey Rice.
We want to thank everyone who was able to make it up to the mountain this summer; we had an awesome time and hope you did too. We also want to thank our team for all their hard work in making summer operations a reality at Meadows this year.
Kids enjoying the Balance Bike Race in August at Meadows. Photo by Anna Holgate.
This was a special season at Mt. Hood Meadows, as it marked our return to summer operations after 2020's hiatus, as well as marked our first time hosting special events since March of 2020. We also greatly appreciate all your flexibility throughout the season in terms of adhering to the pandemic-related safety protocols at the resort.
"We lost masks, we gained them back, we hiked, we made delicious food, we loaded and unloaded chairlifts, we watched for fires, and we enriched lives," said Summer Operations Manager Josey Rice. "And we had a fun time doing it!"
Guests wave at riders on the scenic summer chairlift while enjoying the new hiking trails at Meadows. Photo by Richard Hallman.
While we did not have summer operations at Meadows in 2020, our team used the time during the hiatus to construct 8.5 miles of new hiking trails to add to our already excellent summer trail network. Those trails officially debuted this summer, and we were stoked to see so many people getting out to enjoy them and the incredible natural beauty throughout the Mt. Hood Meadows permit area.
Western pasque flower and lupine blooming in front of Mt. Hood and the Sahale Lodge. Photo by Dave Tragethon.
We also added a new page to the summer section of our website called the Meadows Mountain Update to help introduce guests to the new trails. Every week, we highlighted a different hike at the resort, as well as a Wildflower of the Week to help keep guests informed about what flowers were currently blooming and where they could find them.
Meadows team members installing an interpretive sign along one of the new hiking trails. Photo by Josey Rice.
To help give guests some perspective and insight on their hikes, our team designed and installed seven interpretive signs along the new summer hiking trails that touch on different aspects of the resort, Mt. Hood, and the environment. Topics include Wetlands, Wildlife, History of Mt. Hood, History of Mt. Hood Meadows, Volcanology, Glaciers, and Fire Ecology. An eighth sign depicting the history and relationship of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs with the mountain is in production and will be added to the hiking trails when completed.
Guests and their dogs enjoying the Mutts on the Mountain event. Photo by Richard Hallman.
The support from you, our guests, was incredible this season, making it the most successful summer in resort history! We saw over 10,000 guests enjoy our scenic chair rides this summer, and had amazing turnouts at our events. We loved seeing you all have fun at the food festivals, races, the Makers Market, the Stargazer Dinner, and our summer music, August Mushroom Hunt, and Friday night Movies on the Deck series. You all also showed up in a big way for volunteer and charitable events, such as the Mountain Cleanup in June and Mutts on the Mountain in August. Again, thank you!
Guests enjoying a Friday night Movie on the Deck. Photo by Josey Rice.
We had so much fun this summer that we're already looking forward to the next one, and have planned out the event schedule for Summer 2022 at Mt. Hood Meadows! Dates and events are subject to change, of course, but here's what we have on the calendar so far:
Guests enjoy drinks before the Stargazer Dinner. Photo by Dave Tragethon.
SUMMER 2022 EVENT SCHEDULE
- June 4: Brew Dinner
- June 25: Mountain Cleanup
- June 25: Makers Market
- July 2: Polynesian Food Festival
- July 8 & 9: Stargazer Dinner
- July 9: Kiddie Bike Race
- July 16 & 17: Wy'east Howl
- July 30: Celebration of Mexico Food Festival
- Fridays in August (5, 19, 26): Movies on the Deck (no August 12th date due to Stargazer Dinner)
- August 6: Summer Brew Fest
- August 6: Summer Brew Dinner
- Sundays in August (7, 14, 21, 28): Mushroom Hunt Series
- August 12: Stargazer Dinner
- August 13: Italian Food Festival
- August 21 & 22: Adventure Van Weekend
- August 27: Mutts on the Mountain
Thanks again for making this season one to remember. We hope to see you on the mountain again soon!