Headed out to hood @ the end of April. Some questions:

Insomniac

Insomniac

Active member
Some buddies and I are planning to ski Timberline starting some time around April 27th and ending when the spring pass ends, May 26th. $99 dollars they say, but I'm sure it's just a little more.

Anyways, we're coming from Big Sky, Montana, and plan to camp it up for a month or so. We're all experienced and will be prepared accordingly. The question I have is where to camp? A buddy of mine who went in years past said he camped out in Camp Creek for a bit, then moved somewhere closer up the road (off of a trail of sorts). He wasn't the best source of information, so I turn to you. He mentioned that they were camping at campgrounds that hadn't opened yet, and then they had to leave when they opened. We have a car and can drive, but don't want to have to worry too much about gas with no source of income.

That being said, what else can you maybe tell me? What's the skiing like? Is it just a main area or more like ski runs still? Where to eat and party? Tell me about camping laws in Oregon and the fuzz and the 420 situation there. Tell me something I wouldn't otherwise know to ask. Please!

I'm going to continue my research, I just wanted to throw this out there to collect more beta!

Thanks guys.
 
The spring pass is 99 dollars. There should be around 4 lifts operating. 1 lift (storman norman) gets you access to the two pretty big parks. The three other lifts will give you pretty good terrain to ride around and have fun.
 
I don't know if it will be open yet but trillium lake is a great spot to car camp really close to government camp. The way I've treated it is that you can camp wherever you want unless there is a sign saying "no", or someone tells you to go away.

As for the fuzz, they don't bother skiers/riders much, but they do keep a pretty close eye on open container, dui. I do know a few people that have been busted for herbs over the years, but its usually result of being in question for something else, and happening to get busted for the weed too. Also it is plentiful, and shouldn't be too hard to sniff out a source.

The party scene is lacking unless you drive to Portland, but taco Tuesdays are a big hit. That or if you're under-age camper girls I guess you got it dialed.

The riding is exactly what you'd expect for summer. Ice mornings, nice late morning, straight mashed taters by afternoon. In the summer its only two lifts, and nothing but an easy groomer and park (and a shitload of private camps). There will be more open during the month of may though i think.

//disclaim// usually don't get there until June, so things might be a little different.

hope this helps. Have fun out there!!
 
Taco tuesdays are a must! Thank you guys for responding. I'm so excited to get out there and have a blast.

What's the skinning situation like? We're always down to get out and get after it. Build some booters and such. Any good backcountry to look into?
 
Hey let me know when you guys get here. I just moved here last week and am living about 15 miles from govy.

Also, what is this Taco Tuesday you all speak of?
 
12950701:errrka said:
Hey let me know when you guys get here. I just moved here last week and am living about 15 miles from govy.

Also, what is this Taco Tuesday you all speak of?
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tuesdays at the ratskeller in govy. 3 tacos for 3 dollars
 
I'm heading from Big Sky to Hood as well, leaving a few days after you. We're camping on the airstrip down by Trillium Lake. We're pretty stoked to ski for another month. Did you work at Big Sky? My roommate was a liftie and I drove the gaper train.
 
12967719:caucasian_chad said:
I'm heading from Big Sky to Hood as well, leaving a few days after you. We're camping on the airstrip down by Trillium Lake. We're pretty stoked to ski for another month. Did you work at Big Sky? My roommate was a liftie and I drove the gaper train.
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I just rode a lot. I have the green coat, purple pants and dreads. My buddy worked housekeeping, Nick. We're leaving tonight, with another group or two. It's a 14 hr drive-ish, so we're leaving late tonight, around midnight. We were also thinking about the airstrip, but we're gonna scope it all out.

Are you leaving with Trevor and them?

Have a safe trip buddy, see you out there!
 
12968106:Insomniac said:
I just rode a lot. I have the green coat, purple pants and dreads. My buddy worked housekeeping, Nick. We're leaving tonight, with another group or two. It's a 14 hr drive-ish, so we're leaving late tonight, around midnight. We were also thinking about the airstrip, but we're gonna scope it all out.

Are you leaving with Trevor and them?

Have a safe trip buddy, see you out there!
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Just to give you guys a warning. We've been getting a decent amount of snow and tonight it's getting down to 26 degrees (aka bring some warm shit) also from what I've heard the airstrip is still snowed in so you might want to investigate that a little more. Luckily starting monday its supposed to warm up a little and we'll finally have some sunshine.

Hit me up when you all get to town.
 
12968106:Insomniac said:
I just rode a lot. I have the green coat, purple pants and dreads. My buddy worked housekeeping, Nick. We're leaving tonight, with another group or two. It's a 14 hr drive-ish, so we're leaving late tonight, around midnight. We were also thinking about the airstrip, but we're gonna scope it all out.

Are you leaving with Trevor and them?

Have a safe trip buddy, see you out there!
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I think I've seen you around before, did you live down in Cedar Creek or BSA? I remember a guy with dreads hopping on the gaper train at L almost every day. I don't know anyone named Trevor, I'm heading out with my roommate and a couple friends from Minnesota. We should be out there on the evening of May 1, but maybe we'll try to camp somewhere lower the first night if the weather's looking shitty, that way we can look for a permanent campsite without worrying about running out of daylight.
 
12968138:errrka said:
Just to give you guys a warning. We've been getting a decent amount of snow and tonight it's getting down to 26 degrees (aka bring some warm shit) also from what I've heard the airstrip is still snowed in so you might want to investigate that a little more. Luckily starting monday its supposed to warm up a little and we'll finally have some sunshine.

Hit me up when you all get to town.
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I don't really have a problem with pitching my tent on the snow, the only thing that sucks is that in the spring you might as well pack the tent up every morning because the stakes will pull out as the snow melts anyways... (this is the point where I somewhat regret owning a non-freestanding tent)

At least we'll get to pick the best campsite!
 
12968205:caucasian_chad said:
I don't really have a problem with pitching my tent on the snow, the only thing that sucks is that in the spring you might as well pack the tent up every morning because the stakes will pull out as the snow melts anyways... (this is the point where I somewhat regret owning a non-freestanding tent)

At least we'll get to pick the best campsite!
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Perfect, just wanted to give you a heads up. It's actually supposed to finally clear up and be nice all week. So you're coming at a pretty nice time!
 
I live down in the Hill Condos, but you guys always thought I wanted to go to the CedarCreeks. ha. But yeah that's me. I usually park my car there below the beaverheads, so I always ski to L, but don't always bring the car.

We got super tired and decided to sleep. We're leaving in a few hours here. Daylight is key, so we figure we'll get there before dusk still.

Thanks for the word about the airstrip. Snow's not that big of a deal, I figured as much. But thanks! no one wants to be unprepared.

I drive a red explorer with a NS sticker, and a Chive sticker. Temporary tags.. Find us!

P.S.- Where's the nearest Wallyworld or other marketplace? I need to pick up some supplies, and am wondering where I can do that.
 
12968506:Insomniac said:
P.S.- Where's the nearest Wallyworld or other marketplace? I need to pick up some supplies, and am wondering where I can do that.
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There is a general store in govy, but its small and expensive.

You'll most likely have to come down to Welches (about 15-20 minutes down the mountain). There's a store called thriftway with groceries, beer (I've been told the cheapest), and a few other random things. Also, liquor store next door and a gas station thats about 10 cents less than the one in govy. Also thriftway is open everyday 7am-11pm

oh also, I get my water here, buy a few of the gallon jugs and refill them for 41 cents

If you want to drive about 20 minutes further to sandy theres a store called fred meyer (cheaper than thriftway) that has anything you could ever want, also gas is even cheaper that way. But that's kind of a long haul so I only suggest doing it once if you have to

So it's pretty much how far you want to drive/how much you want to spend/stock up

Oh there's also a little mart around rhododendron called mt hood foods, but its pretty tiny (aka more expensive) and thriftway is literally 5 minutes further. BUT the tiny coffee shack next to it is sooo good.
 
My advice about grocery stores is more for when you get here.

If you need something specifically for tonight maybe stop in hood river?
 
12968640:errrka said:
My advice about grocery stores is more for when you get here.

If you need something specifically for tonight maybe stop in hood river?
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Thanks! That's all good beta.

So you've been getting some snow you say.. How are the slopes?
 
I called yesterday about the airstrip. Rangers said there is about 2' of snow @ 4000' elevation. The airstrip is for sure snowed in still. There's other camping about half hour from Hood on each side (towards Portland & towards Hood River). Since the spots aren't open yet you can still camp for free. Green Canyon is towards Portland near Welches:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=53386&actid=29

and on the Hood River side is Sherwood and Nottingham, which you might have to pay for.
 
I heard the same thing about the airstrip, from two different people. We're posted up at camp creek. It's not open yet, but the camping is decent. A little wet.
 
12950701:errrka said:
Hey let me know when you guys get here. I just moved here last week and am living about 15 miles from govy.

Also, what is this Taco Tuesday you all speak of?
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I just accepted another job with timberline and will be heading out mid to late may. Do you know of any open rooms with chill people? I haven't talked with HR yet, but employee housing is kind of the last resort anyway...

craigslist is pretty fail as well, but will keep watching.

any suggestions?
 
12972802:big.love said:
I just accepted another job with timberline and will be heading out mid to late may. Do you know of any open rooms with chill people? I haven't talked with HR yet, but employee housing is kind of the last resort anyway...

craigslist is pretty fail as well, but will keep watching.

any suggestions?
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Congrats!

Anyways, I'm living at my jobs staff housing so I'm not too sure. I can ask around and check out the paper though.
 
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