Sahale Falls - Mt Hood Meadows

Length: 2.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 200 feet.

If you are you new to snowshoeing and have always wanted to give it a try, heading to Mt Hood Meadows is a great place to start. Or, if you are an experienced snowshoer and still want to see some cool stuff, the trail to Sahale Falls always makes for a great option. So many snowshoe trails are just walks through the woods, but this one offers views and a sweet destination, triggering that reward center of your outdoor loving brain. Plus, if you are nervous about being in the mountains during winter, you will be right there at the ski resort. And its free!!

The snowshoe trail begins at the Mt Hood Meadows Nordic Center. If you like, you can go talk to the people at the ticket booth and they will give you the low down and a trail map. Start by heading around the left side up the building and up a groomed slope (this can be confusing since they tell you to stay off the groomed trails ((which is not always possible so embrace that inner rebel)). Look for the green snowshoe trail sign to start your trek around the parking lot.

You would think a simple trail around a parking area would be easy to follow. Especially in a ski resort. That is not always the case here. The signs seem to be really regular and then disappear, and there are trails and ski tracks going everywhere so it can be hard to pick the right one. But just keep the parking area to your left and don’t climb up to high and you will be fine. You will have to cross over one ski run, the Heather Canyon Trail, along this route, so be sure to look uphill before heading across so you don’t get creamed.

After about .4 miles, you will leave the parking area behind and be headed up towards the Hood River Meadows Base Lodge. Pass by the lodge and swing back around like you are headed back towards the parking lot. Soon you will find yourself on the West Access nordic Trail. Follow this trail for about ¼ mile and then watch for the snowshoe trail splitting off to your right in the trees.

This trail will wind you through the trees for just a little bit before you emerge into beautiful, snowy Hood River Meadow. Here the mountain rises up in front of you and small streams cut their way through the snow-covered flats. You will even have to cross a couple. But don’t worry, they are pretty much just wet, swampy areas. And you have your snow boots of course, so your feet will stay dry.

The trail heads towards the bottom of the Hood River Express Chair but then turns and begins heading back down the meadow. Less than half a mile after entering the meadow, you will sadly be leaving it. But don’t worry, more coolness is yet to come. Once again, the snowshoe trail will diverge from the groomed Nordic trail and head into the trees. This stretch it probably the most difficult of the trip, with a few, small steep sections and side hills as you wind through the trees. But don’t worry, it is short.

A tenth of a mile after entering the forest, you will emerge the snow covered road that will take you to Sahale Falls. This road is a gradual uphill, but nice and groomed, as you march towards the falls. The 0.6 miles will be over before you know it and you will see the bridge as you near your destination. Head out onto the falls and enjoy the frozen beauty of 78-foot tall Sahale Falls.

Once done, head back down the road you came up on, but don’t follow the snowshoe trail into the woods again. This time, remain on the road for another tenth of a mile and then watch for another snowshoe trail heading off to your right. Take that one and enjoy the quick, 0.2 mile jaunt back to the parking lot. Merry trekking!

Directions

To reach the Mt Hood Meadows Nordic Center travel 7.2 miles east on Highway 35 from the junction with Highway 26, and make a left just after passing over a small bridge over Meadows Creek. The trailhead is on the right side of the road, about .3 miles from this intersection. Don’t take the main Mt Hood Meadows exit off of 35, as this will take you to the wrong part of the ski area. The turn off you are looking for is a little more than a mile further down the road.<

Things to Know

Passes: No passes or fees are required.

Dogs: Not allowed.

Usage: Light on the snowshoe trails. Parking can be a challenge

Open Season: As long as there's snow. Most years will have suitable snow depth from December into April.