Summertime weather finally arrived in Oregon by mid July. On a free Monday, I drove an hour southeast on Highway 26 towards Mt. Hood. My plan was to hike the 7.7-mile out-and-back (1,460' gain) to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain.
The trail begins on a wide path that undulates beneath a shaded forest, crossing several footbridges over trickling creeks. A lake shore trail encircles Mirror Lake, which draws many visitors to photograph its reflective views of Mt. Hood (clearest on a windless day). Don't forget bug spray!
From here, ditch the crowds and follow signs to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain. The route ascends through thick forest with pink rhododendrons in early summer. This section features views of Mt. Hood and the Zigzag Mountain high country. A rock cairn at 3 miles marks a switchback toward the summit. Continue at an easy grade along the ridge through open lodgepole trees before reaching a steep, rocky section near the western "Harry" summit of Tom Dick and Harry Mountain.
The final pitch is up an open rocky crest, where the view is dominated by Mt. Hood and Mirror Lake nestled in the forested bowl below. On the northern skyline, Mts. St. Helens, Rainier and Adams can be seen on a clear day. The vista also includes Mt. Jefferson to the south and the high, wild ridge tops of the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness to the southwest. The village of Government Camp and Timberline Lodge are also visible. Golden-mantled ground squirrels and pikas scuttle about on the slopes of platy andesite. Elevation 4,930'.
Note that a loop option exists by continuing along the ridge, but I flipped it around after soaking in the sunshine from the airy perch. I've recently started trail jogging easy parts of hikes, so I clocked in around 2.5 hours RT (1:30pm-4pm).
