Mt. Hood National Forest offers "Hike with a Ranger" series this summer, fall

Ready to get outside but looking for some guidance on the best places to go? This summer you can once again hike with a ranger and enjoy a guided hike on the Mt. Hood National Forest.

For the second year, forest service rangers and scientists/specialists will join groups out on the trail to guide hikes and provide information on topics from hydrology to wildlife to mycology and more.

“We started this program last year on the Forest’s east side and it was a success,” said Jon Breithaupt, acting Mt. Hood National Forest Recreation Program Manager. “Public lands belong to everyone, regardless of experience level. This hiking series provides an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the outdoors while learning about the area’s resources.”

There’s a limited capacity for each hike of 12 participants, and a limit of 10 people in wilderness areas. Registration beforehand is required and available online at tinyurl.com/2yrncpfk.

For more information about the series and signing up, visit fs.usda.gov/goto/mthood/hikewitharanger.

There are hikes of various difficulty levels throughout the summer and all hikes begin at 10 a.m. Some trailheads require a cash day-use fee payment or recreation pass. For more information about day-use fees and recreation passes, visit fs.usda.gov/goto/mthood/passes.

The hike schedule is as follows:

Saturday, May 11: Little Zigzag Falls Trail, hydrology of Little Zigzag FallsSaturday, June 22: Show Pony Trail, The Mt. Hood’s Wildfire Crisis StrategySaturday, June 29: Dog River Trail, mushroom and plant identification on Mount Hood’s east sideSaturday, July 13: Lakeshore Trail, wildlife identification and habitat of the Lost Lake areaSaturday, July 27: Crosstown and Enid Lake Trails, plants and wildflowers of the Government Camp areaSaturday, Aug. 10: Pacific Crest and Twin Lakes Trails, wilderness areas around Mount HoodSaturday, Aug. 24: Trillium Lake Loop Trail, wildlife of the Trillium Lake areaSaturday, Sept. 7: Laurance Lake High Ridge Trail, geology of Mount Hood’s north face and nearby lava flowsSaturday, Sept. 14: Old Salmon River Trail, the lifecycle of Pacific Northwest salmonSaturday, Sept. 21: Tilly Jane Trail, Cloud Cap and Tilly Jane Historic Area tourSaturday, Oct. 5: Tamanawas Falls/East Fork Trail Loop, anadromous fish and aquatic ecosystemsSaturday, Oct. 12: Pioneer Bridle Trail, the Barlow Road segment of the Oregon National Historic Trail

The schedule is subject to change and is dependent on staff availability and local wildfire conditions. People who have registered for hikes will be notified if there are changes or cancelations.

For more information or if you have any questions, contact one of the Mt. Hood National Forest district offices at fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood/about-forest/offices.