For most of us, the best part of hiking is the downhill part. Thankfully, the Scenic Sky Chairs in the Adventure Park at Skibowl can carry you up to some of the most scenic hiking trails in the
Mt. Hood National Forest, providing a laid-back walk down, or even a round-
trip ride.

For 28 years the sky chairs have operated during the summer providing
access to the popular Alpine Slide. But those who stay on the chair past the
start of the slide can enjoy a leisurely ride up to 4,300 feet, stepping off to
quietly blooming alpine meadows lined with pink rhododendrons, purple lupine
and white bear grass.

From here, the view of Mount Hood is nothing short of majestic.
The summer forest is filled with hummingbirds, western meadowlarks, sellar’s
jays, northern flickers, towhees, and on rare occasions, woodpeckers and bald
eagles.

Nearby, you can see the historic warming hut, a popular winter destination for
skers and boarders, built in 1935 by the WPA crew.

Wandering around the well-marked interpretative trails is invigorating.
Those who choose can bikd down or get in a round of disc golf on their way to
the base area.

But if it’s Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you can continue the ride. Follow well-
marked trails over the Upper Scenic Sky Chair – taking this lift up to 5,027
feet.

Here at the top of Skibowl Peak, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the
Cascade mountain range. On a clear day you are witness to Mount Jefferson
(10,246 feet), Mount St. Helens (8,365 feet), Mount Adams (12,276 feet),
Mount Ranier (14,410 feet), and of course Mount Hood (11,239 feet).

The view is stirring and best of all, accessible for most people because of the
sky chairs.

From atop Skibowl Peak you can start your hike. You can head over the ridge
to Wind Lake, about a mile away – or begin the walk back down along the
wide and winding Skyline trail. In later summer, the route is lined with
huckleberries for easy picking.

The hiking is suitable for most ages, so you don’t have to be a rugged
adventurer to experience this phenomenal natural beauty.

Hiking shoes are recommended. The cost to ride the lower chair is $7, and to
ride both the upper and lower chairs is $10.

The Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl is located on 980 acres in thMt..Hood
National Forest, less than hour east of Portland.

For more information call 503-228-BOWL, or visit www.skibowl.com.