An incredible 1st time experience recently – I climbed to the top of Tom Dick Harry Mountain. Only 5100 feet but my first mountain. It is remarkable – LocalHikes rates it a 5* hike for scenery. At its peak, you stand face to face with the highest mountain in Oregon, majestic 11,240 feet Mount Hood, only 7 miles away. Mesmerizing, breathtakingly beautiful. You can also see 4 other major peaks – Mount Adams, Rainier and St. Helens in Washington and Mount Jefferson in Oregon – further away.
The other wonder of the hike is Mirror Lake, at the half way point. Mirror Lake is famous, ubiquitous in photos and paintings because the lake mirrors Mt. Hood.
Actually, most hikers don’t go further than Mirror Lake, half way up the mountain. To that point it is uphill but not difficult, a good hike with a wide, well marked trail. The 2nd half is also well marked but much narrower and fairly steep; it is rocky the last 1/2 mile with some shale at the top (technically Pliocene andesite and basalt).
LocalHikes rates the hike to the top Moderate – “an okay trail with a few rough spots”. There is also a warning to watch out for several major drops (hundreds of feet) – glad I didn’t see that before I went! Not bad for a total amateur who hasn’t hiked much for the last 20 years! It was well worth the effort – an energizing, confidence building event. It will be wonderful in the spring, although a post said there was snow on the trail last June.
Wikipedia : Tom Dick and Harry Mountain
Local Hikes: Tom Dick and Harry Mountain, near Mt. Hood
surangroup.com 