Chinidere-Tomlike Mountain Loop

A few months back, I wrote a Trail Doggs article for Rediviva Magazine that outlined a loop that includes the summit of two mountains—Chinidere and Tomlike. This 9-mile loop is spectacular and will make you feel like a mountaineer. :)

The mountains were named for Chinidere—the last chief of the Wasco Indians and his son, Tomlike, who was the chief of the Hood River Indians.

This is a gelatin silver print of Tomlike. It was shot in The Dalles by Benjamin A. Gifford in 1900.

The hike begins at Wahtum Lake, within Mt. Hood National Forest. The area is true Pacific Northwest rain forest and is only accessible for a short window each year. The elevation and thick forest canopy can keep snowpack on the ground til mid-summer!

Beargrass on the lovely Pacific Crest Trail.

The hike begins at Wahtum Lake and follows the Pacific Crest Trail for a while before intersecting with the .5 mile climb to the top of Chinidere. The views from the top of Chinidere are absolutely stunning—extending from The Three Sisters and Mt. Jefferson to the south and to Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier in the north. The biggest, baddest view is Mt. Hood, which dominates the landscape. From here, you can also admire Eagle Creek Canyon and many of the other peaks in the Gorge, including Mt. Defiance.

In true rainforest style, our view from Chinidere was socked in the day of the hike. Still very cool! Cooper likes it anyway, he said.

Late summer here means late wildflowers AND late mosquitos. It's pretty and itchy (they mossies here are HUNGRY).

Baby lupine.

After summitting Chindere, we trotted along the Herman Creek Trail to the junction with the ridgeline that climbs to the top of Tomlike. The ridgeline trail follows cairns and is super badass, if I do say so myself.

The Tomlike Ridge varies from exposed, flat sections to big boulder climbs to Tim Burtonesque, craggly forest. This is Cooper in the craggly spot.

Cooper near the top of Tomlike.

Me, Coop & Hood.

After enjoying lunch at the Tomlike Summit, we looped out on the Anthill Trail. By lunch, all the clouds had cleared out and the views were expansive.

Vicki Lee enjoys the view from the Anthill Trail portion of the hike.

Wahtum Lake from the Anthill Trail. MmmmMMMmm…foothills galore.

A little more Beargrass for your play-zure.

If you're interested, you have a solid four weeks left to do this hike before Old Man Winter returns. :)

Mt. Hood in the hizzy.