FROM ALDER CREEK TO GOVERNMENT CAMP:

Can you keep our secret?

W hen you come here, the surprise and wonders of our natural landscape will never disappoint you. Never. There is always something new and inviting for you to do and see and enjoy here. Every day. Every month. Any time of the year. We promise you this. We are a unique community of historic villages snuggled between the towering fir tucked up inside the cascading flanks of Mount Hood Oregon s highest peak.

T hese canyons and tree-thick ridges that surround and protect us-with names like Huckleberry, Wildcat , and Paradise -are the same green shoulders that intrepid botanist David Douglas marveled at back in 1833.

T oday, while most Americans rightly yearn for a return to the last century's forgotten tranquility of "one stoplight towns"-­ we don't yearn here. We already live it.

I nside the hustle-bustle of this new 21st Century, we are still a one-stoplight "town" - more like an informal sprinkling of six personable hamlets, or villages . All known for their individuality and cordial Cascadian ambiance.

A ll of these communities share in offering you something from the area's array of unique sights and services. From delicious eateries, microbreweries and log cabin histories, to gift and book shops and special galleries, to a full smorgasbord of year round recreation opportunities-including skiing, hiking , golfing , fishing-and much, much more.

C ome up and stay a while. Our overnight lodging includes everything from sleeping beneath wilderness stars to rustic bed and breakfasts, modern condominiums, and upscale resorts . And, always-no matter where you are here-just outside your door:

The perennial call of the wild. . .

W hen you travel here from the west along scenic Highway 26, Alder Creek greets

you first. Named for the cascading waterway tumbling down off nearby Wildcat Mountain, the lush alder forests abound here. Look up into the hills. Can you begin to count the many different shades of green?  

C ontinue on up to Brightwood on its historic two-lane loop. Just off the road here, the Salmon River-christened high up inside the alpine canyons just a pinecone toss from Timberline Lodge - roars into the glacial-fed Sandy River rapids.

It is an ancient, ongoing marriage that began millennia ago ...

A s you continue on, watch for deer. This area is a traditional north-south four-legged travel corridor. Please be courteous. After all, they were here first.

J ust a coyote's yell on up the highway, historic Wemme waits for you with everything from fishing shops to gourmet dining and coffee stops. Named in honor of E. Henry Wemme (pronounced Wem-MEE) who had a home here long ago, he owned Portland's first automobile. In 1912, Mr. Wemme purchased the venerable private toll Barlow Road over Mount Hood and bequeathed it "free and clear" to all the people of the State of Oregon. Thank you, Henry!

F arther up the highway corridor, Welches valley opens to the south with grand vistas of Hunchback, Salmon, and Huckleberry mountains. At the turn of the last century, local Warm Springs Indians rode their horses from the mountain's east side here every year to fish the Salmon River's blue-white rapids. They smoked their salmon and camped in the riverside meadows that still grow wildflowers here beside the same song of river today.

Listen, you can hear it singing

N ext, up at the foot of Zigzag and Hunchback mountains, you'll come to Zigzag. Why the odd name? The first Barlow Road pioneers who rumbled down off Laurel Hill followed a twisting, wild serpentine waterway that zigged and zagged through the frustrating jungle of trees out in front of them. Hence, these hearty immigrants tagged the waterway "Zigzag" (and probably a few choice expletives, too). The nearby village-and its towering green-shouldered ridge-also took the river's name. And, like our area's beautiful pristine wintertime snow, it stuck.

R hododendron -affably known by the locals simply as "Rhody"-welcomes you next. Named for the local, indigenous shrub who celebrates spring and summer with explosions of her big pink and white petals, locals can cross a footbridge over the Zigzag River rapids here to visit this "downtown" of stores and restaurants and tiny post office.

L ook up. To the north, high above Castle Canyon, those rock cliffs teetering up in the sky once held a forest fire lookout tower. While the tower is forever gone, the area's bear, cougar, and bobcat still roam those ridges.

A s you follow the climbing highway on up into the high Cascades broad, forested spine, when you pass by historic Laurel Hill-the most treacherous descent of the overland Oregon Trail -you'll see Mount Hood's spectacular rugged face.

Roll down your window any time of the year. Taste the pure, glacier-sweet air. Your lungs, your blood-your smile will thank you.

W hen you reach the picturesque 4,000-foot elevation, take the convenient loop into hospitable Government Camp.  

K nown for its recreation and rich skiing history, today "Govie," in addition to its own ski areas, hosts and caters to "wintertime" recreationists ALL year round. Yes, even in July, the Palmer Snowfield­ just a few more miles up the mountain­ provides skiers and snowboarders with one of the northern hemisphere's most unique recreational venues.

M eanwhile, year-round-fun headquarters eclectic Government Camp has the new Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum ; "adventure park" with alpine slide and mountain bike sky chair; horseback riding; hiking trails to mountain lakes; both alpine and Nordic skiing ; relaxing restaurants, shops and inns with deluxe accommodations.

T ake your time. Enjoy it all-365 days a year-from here all the way back down to Alder Creek. There's so much to see and do ... to experience ...to explore ...

Welcome to our secret.  Welcome to Mount Hood.

By Rhododendron writer, Paul Keller