Join astronomy experts for a closer look at the night sky.

Doug McCarty, director of the astronomy program and the Planetarium Sky Theater at Mount Hood Community College and astronomer for over 30 years will lead visitors in viewing the mountains and craters on the moon, distant galaxies, a dying star and Jupiter and its moons through telescopes in the Lodge amphitheater.

Enjoy sunset and the alpine glow before joining the program at 9 p.m.

FREE to the public. No reservation required. Family friendly. For more information call Lawson Reif at 503-622-3191 ext 610.

See the press release below:

Media Contact: Grace Saad

Phone: 503-929-6244

Email: grace.saad@hotmail.com

For immediate release: TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore.—The fourth of July lit up the sky with fireworks, but visitors to Mount Hood National Forest’s Timberline Lodge can enjoy a free natural sky show at the first ever “Star Party” event at the end of July. Pack up the car and head to the national historic landmark Lodge, located at 6,000 feet on the majestic Mount Hood, and meet with astronomy experts from Mount Hood Community College(MHCC)  for a closer look at our night sky.

              The program will be held at 9 p.m. on Saturday July 25 in the Lodge amphitheater, where astronomy guru Doug McCarty and university student Alex Cason will guide visitors in star gazing through several telescopes, pointing out planets, stars and other planetary bodies.

            “We are going to be looking at craters and mountains on the moon with one of the best telescopes in the world,”said McCarty, who has led astronomy tours in Turkey, Africa and South America. “This year is the 400^th anniversary of Galileo’s discovery of the moon’s of Jupiter, and we’ll be viewing the planet and its moons through a telescope that is over 10 times more powerful than the one he used.”  

            The program will also give visitors a glimpse of a dying star and a galaxy over 2 million light years away.

“It’s like looking into the past,” McCarty said. “If a star is one light year away, that means that the light that we see from it takes one year to reach the Earth. We see the star as it appeared one year ago. We’ll be looking over 2 million years into the past when we view the most distant object that can be seen in the night sky.”    

McCarty has been working in astronomy for over 30 years and is also the director of the Planetarium Sky Theater at MHCC, which offers a different presentation of galactic, stellar and planetary images monthly.

            Visitors can also enjoy a day at the Lodge complete with a tour at 11 a.m., 1, 2 or 3 p.m., an alpine talk in the amphitheater at 12:30 p.m., a hike on one of the many trails leaving from the Lodge or a sunset picnic right before the program.

What: Star Party at Timberline Lodge. Join astronomy expert Doug McCarty for a closer look at our night sky.

Where: Timberline Lodge Amphitheater; (503) 272-3311. From Portland, take Highway 26 east toward Mount Hood. Turn left on Timberline Road, ¼ mile east of the village of Government Camp. From Hood River, take Highway 35 south to Mount Hood and turn right on Timberline Road, 2 miles past the turn off for Trillium Lake

When: Saturday, July 25; 9 p.m. until

Hi folks!

Some of you saw us this winter for scheduled events at Timberline and the ZigZag Ranger Station, but we’re back for the summer with a full schedule of events for children, families, outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs. Check out the news article below for more information, and be sure to check out each program’s page for specifics, photos and the new volunteer blog that will be updated weekly.

Mount Hood National Forest (MHNF) volunteers will give the public a chance to celebrate Oregon’s 150^th year with free programs focusing on history, the outdoors and conservation this summer.

“Every year, we give thousands of visitors a more interesting and valuable look at the mountain that is so identifiable statewide,” says Lawson Reif, head of the volunteer interpretive program in the ZigZag Ranger District of MHNF. “You can’t celebrate Oregon’s 150^th anniversary as a state without a visit to Mount Hood.”

To celebrate the anniversary, Lawson and the Forest Service created a brand new exhibit for Timberline Lodge’s Rachael Griffin Museum, which features 150 years on Mount Hood and includes photographs, artifacts and history.

In the historic Barlow Room, The Builders of Timberline, a 22-minute video on the construction off the Lodge, will be played at 12:30 p.m., giving visitors an inside look into the New Deal era building.

The Work Progress Administration (WPA) workers who constructed Timberline camped in tents for 15 months at Summit Meadows, which can be seen from the bird’s eye view of 6,000 feet at the historic Lodge.

“Summit Meadows was a resting point for weary pioneers in the 1800’s,” volunteer Grace Saad said. “The men who built Timberline were following in the footsteps of the great American travelers of the Barlow Road.”

Mount Hood itself was also a huge draw for early settlers of Oregon like Elijah (Lige) Coalman who summitted Mount Hood 586 times.

Volunteer Rangers will provide several guided hikes from Timberline this year as well, one with a focus on the climbing history of Mount Hood and a visit to the site of an old climber’s cabin.

Rangers will also provide free tours of the Lodge at 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and 3 p.m.  The tours will touch on pioneer and Native American history, as well as the construction, hand-crafted furnishings, art and textiles of the National Historic Landmark.

Alpine talks and guided hikes on weekends and special events at Timberline will cover topics such as wildflowers, wilderness safety, geology and fire prevention.  Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Rangers also staff an information desk and can let tourists in on local secrets like the best place for a beer, the cheapest taco, the best waterfall hike or the most secluded campground. 

After a Saturday at Timberline, visitors can enjoy 7 p.m. campfire programs at Timothy or Trillium Lakes starting the weekend of July 4 and wake up for a guided hike in the forest, to learn about the plant and animal life that make our state so unique.  Treks start near Government Camp and Welches and are less than 3 miles. Hikers will be rewarded with a postcard view of Mount Hood from Mirror Lake or a peaceful moment in the moss-draped maples and old growth firs of the aptly-named Salmon River.

The history lover might prefer a short hike focusing on the Barlow Road at Mount Hood Skibowl West, where the kids can hop a shuttle to Skibowl East for go-carts, mini golf and a mean hot dog. Learn about pioneer travel and area history or take the lift to Tom Dick Peak, for a view of 5 Cascade volcanoes and an alpine lake.

Rangers will also provide a plethora of other activities this summer, especially for children, including Junior Ranger Day, Festival of the Forest, Wild Wednesdays at Wildwood Recreation Area, Smokey’s Trail, and special tours, hikes and service projects for large groups.

“Oregon’s history is so rich,” Reif says.  “It’s great to be able to provide activities for the children and families that set our state apart. We have 150 years of history to celebrate. I only hope the next 150 are as exciting.”

For a full schedule of events, to book an event or tour for a large group or more information, visit www.mthoodvolunteers.wordpress.com, email mthoodvolunteers@hotmail.com, or call Reif at (503) 622-3191 ext. 610.

Hey hey hey!

We may have been on hiatus, but we’re back for BRAND NEW winter programming at Timberline Lodge, local schools and more!

Please visit us on Saturdays and Sundays at T-Line at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for tours, or call Christy Covington at 503-622-3191, ext. 668, or email mthoodvolunteers@hotmail.com to schedule a FREE tour for your family, small or large group or school class any day of the week!

Make sure to visit us in the Lodge when you are skiing or snowboarding for winter recreation information, Lodge history and any other questions you might have. We will be staffing the desk on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Volunteer Rangers will also be visiting area schools for “Snow Days.” If you teach homeschool, preschool, elementary, middle or high school students and would like to have us present to your group, please call Grace Saad at 503-929-6244.

Thanks again for reading, and check back soon for more info!

We just wanted to write to thank everyone who attended our events, hikes, tours and conservation educaiton programs! This year’s season was a huge success, and we want to continue building upon that success this winter and beyond. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

We also wanted to update everyone on the success of our season. Here are some numbers:

• Nearly 30,000 visitors served
• Over 3,000 hours of volunteer time was donated, valued at nearly $60,000
• Nearly $5,000 raised

We added tons of new programming, participated in many more special events and grew partnerships and organization for the volunteer interpretive program this year, laying a road map for the new winter season (our first ever!) and next year’s summer season as well.

We hope everyone enjoyed their time in Mt Hood National Forest, and don’t forget to check back weekly for updates.

Pictures of all the events and programs will soon be posted to our gallery!

ALSO

****Let us know how we can serve you better****

Please send any comments or requests for programming to mthoodvolunteers@hotmail.com! We need your help to make this year great!

Join the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Public Broadcasting at Timberline Lodge on Sunday, November 2 for an advanced screening of a special presentation on the Civilian Conservation Corps celebrating the national historic landmark hotel and the 75th anniversary of the New Deal.

The pre-screening of the documentary will begin at 1 p.m. in the Lodge’s Barlow Room, where guests will learn the history of the CCC in Oregon and hear from OPB and Forest Service speakers who will honor corps alumni and those involved in the creation of the film. Immediately following the screening, guests will be invited to take a Ranger-led tour of Timberline Lodge and view special exhibitions on the New Deal Anniversary.

For more information, or to reserve a seat in the Barlow Room, contact volunteer Grace Saad at 503-929-6244 or Forest Service liasion Christy Covington at 503-622-3191 ext. 668, or by email at mthoodvolunteers@hotmail.com

Join Rangers Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, for the Mt Hood Festival of the Forest to support Special Olympics Oregon! Bring the family out for food, fun, music, prizes, games, forest activities and more! Meet Smokey Bear! Enjoy arts and crafts and other vendors from the greater Mt Hood area and Portland at Wildwood Recreation Area from noon to 6 p.m.

$5 per vehicle, per day

For more information, visit www.mthood.info/forestfest or contact Toni Demicoli at demicolit@aol.com

Join the U.S. Forest Service at Mt. Hood Summer Jam for a photo opp with Smokey and fun activities for the whole family!

Bring the gang to Government Camp on Saturday, August 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet a volunteer Ranger and learn about Mt. Hood and the national forest that surrounds it. Have your picture taken with Smokey Bear at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. and receive a free photo! Hang around for live music, food, vendors and other activities in Gov’y all day long.

Try a campout at Trillium or Timothy Lakes and attend a campfire program at 7 p.m. on Saturday night in the amphitheater. Bring your marshmallows and a camera! Storytime and more keeps the kids entertained.

Complete your weekend of family fun with a trip to Junior Ranger Day at Mt. Hood Skibowl West on Sunday, August 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join volunteer Rangers to learn about geology, history, flora and fauna and fire prevention through fun learning activities and games. Meet Smokey Bear and a real forest fire fighter crew! Win prizes and become a Junior Ranger for life!

While your family has fun at Junior Ranger Day, Friends of the Forest volunteers will be completing service projects at Timberline Lodge from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., so if you’re at the hotel, make sure to give them a pat on the back.

Hope to see you all there!

PS: No nature hikes or Smokey’s Trail this weekend, as we’re working on these special events for families!

Hello all! Time to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 64th year in style at national historic landmark Timberline Lodge.

This year’s b-day bash is Saturday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and visitors can play games, win prizes, hear the true story of Smokey Bear and meet the big guy himself. Enjoy birthday cake at 1 p.m. in the Barlow Room and make sure to stop by the Forest Service interpretive desk in the lower lobby for more information about the Lodge, Smokey Bear and fire prevention. Don’t forget the camera!

Hope to see you there!

More details: Happy birthday Smokey!

It’s been beautiful weather out here in Mount Hood National Forest, and the volunteers are giving families a way to have fun in the sun every Sunday until August 17. 

Smokey’s Trail is a new activity this year that gathers children and parents together to learn about fire prevention, forest ecology, responsible outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship through an interactive hike at the ZigZag Ranger Station.  From noon to 2:30 p.m. children will play games, hike a trail with an interpretive Ranger and meet Smokey Bear.

About 25 people attended the first Smokey’s Trail on July 13, and children had a blast learning about the environment and how to protect it.  Fire management is a big issue in our state, and prevention and suppression, as well as prescribed burns and other techniques are an important part of what the Forest Service is all about. Smokey Bear is a great tool to teach children the steps to keep Oregon green, so the trail activity is an essential part of the interpretive program.

Volunteers Adrian Parris and Emily Roads from Arizona by way of New Orleans, Louisiana spearheaded the project, and tried to lay the foundation for the continuation of this interactive hike for kids in the future.

Make sure to catch the next Smokey’s Trail event on Sunday, July 20.

Remember: Only YOU can prevent forest fires!

Mt. Hood National Forest (MHNF) volunteers are hard at work this year, kicking off their season with interpretive programming throughout the forest this Fourth of July weekend.

The Volunteer Interpretive Program is in full swing, with a group of 5 student interns and 6 community  volunteers offering free guided tours of Timberline Lodge, nature hikes, recreation, visitor information and special programs to the nearly 2 million visitors the forest receives each summer.

“Our programs bring the forest to life for thousands of visitors, tourists and families each year,” U.S. Forest Service special use program manager and VIP supervisor Christy Covington said. “Interpretation tells the forest’s story, from ecology to history, fire prevention to wilderness safety and more. The interp program offers the public a way to get the most out of their forest visit.”

The core of the interpretive program is the volunteers’ work at historic Timberline Lodge, located at 6,000 feet on Mt. Hood’s southern flank, publically owned, administered by the U.S.F.S. and operated by R.L.K. and Company.

“The Lodge is an important part of what we do in the interpretive program, because millions of people come from all over the world to enjoy Mt. Hood and the Lodge,” Covington said. “Timberline is the heart of our efforts, and we’ve got some great new programs coming up throughout the forest.”

Interpretive Tours run daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and last around 30 minutes, covering all the public areas of the Lodge, including the history of the construction, the architecture and design themes, artwork, mountain ecology and more.  The group also offers the historical Builders of Timberline video in the Barlow room at noon and upon request for visitors who want to know more.

The volunteers also staff a Forest Service information desk in the lower lobby of the Lodge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., answering questions and offering info about Timberline and recreation in the forest. Visitors can stop by for information and to obtain publications, maps and more from the friendly staff.

“We really try to give people a behind-the-scenes peek of the Lodge and how it all began,” volunteer Sean Medlock said.  “There are hundreds of cool stories and interesting facts that the average visitor would never know about if it weren’t for this great program. We’re really helping people make the most of their time at Timberline.”

R.L.K. and Company at Timberline Lodge believes that the volunteer interpretive program activities are a great addition to the programming they already offer, and the presence of the Forest Service is an important part of their mission.

“In the summertime we see thousands of visitors coming up just to see the Lodge and learn about its history,” said Timberline public affairs director Jon Tullis. “The interpretive program really enhances the visitor experience by making a visit an informative and memorable one. We are really proud of the Forest Service volunteers. They are neat people and are wonderfully enthusiastic and personable. I think they really enjoy sharing their knowledge and love of the Lodge with everyone.”

In addition to the tours, the volunteer interpretive program offers daily nature walks at 2 p.m. at Timberline, weather permitting, guiding visitors on a 2-mile informative walk starting behind the Lodge. The hikes offer insight into the geological and climbing history of Mt. Hood and the plants and animals of the region. 

The volunteers will also provide guided hikes at Trillium Lake on Saturdays at 10 a.m., beginning July 5, leading visitors 2 miles around the sub-alpine lake, focusing on wildflower identification, water ecology, tree growth and a variety of other topics.  Immediately following this hike, visitors can attend a history talk and hike related to the Barlow Road at Summit Meadows in the Trillium area at 11 a.m.

A new program this year will be Smokey’s Trail, a hiking activity for children that will be offered on Sundays at noon, starting July 20 at the ZigZag Ranger Station.  Children and parents can meet Smokey Bear, learn about fire prevention and each lunch with the big guy at the Station’s History House, which will serve as the new headquarters for the interpretive program.

Another new program the volunteers have put together is Wild Wednesdays at Wildwood park near Welches. At the recreational park, children’s groups can participate in fun activities in conservation education in the afternoons, mid-July to mid-August. More details on this program will be developed soon.

To round out your Mt. Hood visit, the interp program offers weekly campfire programs at Trillium and Timothy lakes every Saturday at 7 p.m., also kicking off the July 4 weekend.  Special guests Smokey Bear and Woodsy the Owl will often make appearances, and the campfires will bring families together in a fun and educational way.

The team hopes to offer campfire programming at Timberline Lodge and Government Camp this year as well, which would most likely start in August, due to the snow level, said Covington.

These activities will not only be valuable to tourists and out-of-state visitors, but also to residents of the surrounding areas.

“With the price of gas and airfare skyrocketing, many people find that they can’t afford to take vacations to far-away places,” volunteer Grace Saad said. “What better way to take some time off and save money than to consider a ‘stay-cation’ on Mt. Hood? You can start with a tour of national historic landmark Timberline Lodge, head out on a nature hike at Trillium Lake and attend a campfire program to top it off! It’s free and fun. The whole family will enjoy.”

Organizing special events is another component of the volunteer interpretive program, with volunteers hosting a Smokey Bear birthday party at Timberline Lodge on August 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and working to commemorate anniversaries and historical happenings like the first ascent of Mt. Hood and the recent 75^th Anniversary of the New Deal (CCC and WPA). 

In addition to events at Timberline, the group organizes Junior Ranger Day at Mt. Hood Skibowl on July 26, a program where children can meet Smokey Bear and become Junior Rangers for life. Children complete a series of entertaining and educational activities to obtain their Junior Ranger badge and certificate.

The volunteers also work closely with Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp, a summer camp for mentally and physically disabled children and adults.  Volunteers put on a skit for the campers and special guest Smokey Bear attends. Plans to expand this partnership include conservation education and guided hikes for higher functioning groups.

These activities are made possible by a variety of partners, including the Clackamas County Tourism Development Council and R.L.K. and Company, with additional support from donations from the public, which can be made at the Lodge through the Friends of Timberline (FoT) donation box or at any of the events held by the volunteers.  FoT, a non-profit organization founded in 1975 that helps to preserve the Lodge, also partners with the volunteer interpretive program to provide extra help.

“Volunteering with the Forest Service and with Friends of Timberline  has led to a much better knowledge and understanding of the needs of the Lodge and the issues facing both the Forest Service and R.L.K. and Company,” FoT member and interp program volunteer Lenore Martin said. “In addition, it is rewarding to have the opportunity to interact with some of the many visitors to the Lodge.”

Partnerships with the tourism council, FoT and R.L.K. and Company would not be nearly as effective if it weren’t for the dedication of all the volunteers, said Covington.

“Our volunteers are so special,” Covington said. “They are really dedicated to helping visitors in any way they can and have been taking on so much extra work to initiate a revamp of our program this year. They are laying the groundwork for years to come that will leave a lasting impression on visitors for the future.”

The passion of the volunteers cannot be denied. Two of the students from last year’s program are back for more this year, and young people have come from as far as Pittsburgh, Penn. to participate.

In the long run, Covington and the volunteer group see the volunteer interpretive program growing to offer additional events for children, more nature hikes, a Ski with a Ranger Program and a whole gamut of winter activities.

“Our interpretive work in MHNF is just beginning,” Covington said. “The volunteers are celebrating the past, participating in the present and creating the future. They are the voice of the forest, helping visitors and families nationwide to get out there and enjoy their own backyard.”

For more information about the program or to become a volunteer, partner or sponsor, contact Christy Covington at (503) 622-3191 ext. 668. To schedule a group tour at Timberline, contact the R.L.K. sales office at (503) 272-3252. Email mthoodvolunteers@hotmail.com to be updated on the latest news, and make sure to check back for more information!