The U.S. Forest Service & R.L.K. and Company will host a free “Star Party” at Historic Timberline Lodge. Program begins with an introduction in the Barlow Room inside Timberline Lodge followed by Star Gazing at the lower Salmon River Parking Lot just east of the Lodge. Astronomy Professors Doug McCarty and Dr. Todd Duncan of the Science Integration Institute, along with a number of amateur astronomers, will provide telescopes for the public to view the Moon, Saturn,
ancient star clusters, galaxies, dying stars, and the center of our Milky Way galaxy from an elevation of 6,000 feet on the Southern slope of Mount Hood.

When : August 25th Saturday beginning @ 8:30 pm

Cost: FREE

The Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon is one of the most breath taking areas in the US.  You can explore the Mt. Hood region within less than 100 miles of actual road trip distance from the Portland Area, which makes it a great destination for a weekend getaway. The scenery is world-class, and each season offers something different, from snow covered mountain tops, to beautiful crystal blue lakes. There are dozens of attractions and opportunities to explore the area. You could return several times a year and plan a totally different trip. This is an ideal vacation spot for families due to the flexibility and the short driving distance between each point.

A Spring Break trip on Mt. Hood is a great time to experience two seasons at once, both the end of the winter season and the  beginning of spring. The weather might be a little hard to predict, but it’s perfect for enjoying winter activities without the crowds and a great time to take in all that nature has to offer on Mt. Hood. You’ll see plenty of  spring blooms and wildlife as things begin to unthaw. Spring is one of the least popular times to visit the region, most likely due to school schedules and the difficulty in predicting sunny weather, so you’ll be able to get out and enjoy it all without all the people, and there are few places on earth that have such an incredible spring.

Your basic itinerary will be the same, no matter what season you plan to travel. Grab a good map of the region before heading out, many of the best routes are not major highways. Mt Hood Adventure is a good place to stop in Government Camp for maps, GPS’s, and rentals, including information on the best destination spots on Mt. Hood.

Mt. Hood is home to any outdoor activity you can imagine (including laying in a hammock and reading a book) and each season has plenty of offerings to keep any family busy. It’s a short jaunt from your vacation rental, if your staying at Collins Lake Resort in Government Camp, to any destination on Mt. Hood. In winter, expect snowy and/or icy driving conditions, and use TripCheck to get up to the minute road reports.

If you’re planning to spend a few days on Mt. Hood book a few activities through Mt. Hood Adventure. Greg Moreno, locally known as “Chopper”, has been the operator and lead guide for the company since it first began in 2005. He is your local expert on all things ‘Mt. Hood’. Chopper has years of experience in the Mt. Hood Region and can help your family enjoy the outdoors safely. He’s a fantastic resource for your adventures on Mt. Hood and he can recommend which activities are best suited for your experience, level of fitness and interests. Whether you’re interested in snowmobiling, geo-caching, hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, white water rafting or anything else, Chopper can guide you to the best places to ensure you’ll have a great time throughout your stay. Their web site has a lot of recommendations based on which season it is when you visit. 101 things to do in summer is a great guide that chopper came up with to give visitors a good place to start during their visit.

Since the mountain has so much to offer, try to spend at least two days playing outdoors. If the weather permits, Timberline Lodge  is just a short distance from Governement camp &  well worth the time.  The view from the lodge is spectacular and the Cascade Dining Room has been noted as one of the best mountaintop restaurants in North America, and is known for their use of fresh Northwestern ingredients. The fireside brunch is family friendly and kids eat free if you dine early in the evening. Be sure to take the self-guided tour of the lodge.

Other suggestions for enjoying the mountain and nearby area include:

Restaurants:
Barlow Trail Roadhouse (69580 E. Hwy 26, 503-622-1662) — open at 7 am, this is a good spot for breakfast out if you’re not in the mood to cook.

High Mountain Cafe - Get your morning off to a great start. Swing by the High Mountain Cafe on your way to the mountain for a quick and healthy breakfast or lunch. They have amazing Breakfast Burritos & specialize in gourmet coffee and espresso, fresh-baked pastries, deli sandwiches, free WiFi, and friendly service. The café is located on the second floor of the Ratskeller Building. Open 8am-4pm.

The Ratskeller Pizzeria - With its warm and friendly atmosphere, the Ratskeller in Government Camp, remains a favorite destination for ski families and others looking for tasty food. Renowned for its specialty pizzas, the menu has been expanded to include traditional American pub food and delicious salads, plus a great selection of micro beers, wines and specialty drinks.  Stop by for $2 taco Tuesdays!
Ice Axe Grill — Mt. Hood Brewing – Their commitment to freshness and small batch brewing means that none of the brews from Mt. Hood Brewing leave the state of Oregon, and they don’t bottle beer. Enjoy it right at the brewery, in a family-friendly pub-style environment. In Government Camp.
Charlie’s Mountain View — Known for their prime rib, the nightlife is also hopping at Charlie’s. Great if you can get grandparents to watch the kids for a few hours. They are also open for breakfast at 9 am. In Government Camp.
Rendezvous Grill & Tap Room– The Rendezvous has a little fancier flair than some of the other options. Still good for older kids or dining early. Their desserts are amazing, so a great option is to cook in your cabin and go for dessert and coffee. In Welches.
Still Creek Inn & Lounge — Local favorite for more of a culinary experience highlighting local ingredients and fresh seafood. Still very family friendly. In Rhododendron.
Calamity Janes (42015 Hwy 26, 503-668-7817) — Just west of Welches on 26, look for the giant cowgirl sign. Burgers with lots of options and kid menu favorites.

Activities:
Recreation options are endless. Check out the Mt. Hood Territory web site  & Mt Hood Adventure’s Website for some of the best ideas on Mt. Hood!
The Wildwood Recreation Site is a 580-acre facility that should be on your must-see list. Kids can see a cool “fish-eye” view of a stream via the viewing window. There are trails and picnic areas and lots more. Take a day and just relax and bring a picnic lunch and play outside.

Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl - Over 20+ attractions for the whole family! The most popular attraction is the 1/2 mile dual Alpine Slide.   It begins with a leisurely trip up the mountain on the Scenic Sky chair, which provides a magnificent view of the Cascades, in particularly nearby Mt. Hood. For the extremist, visit the East side area where you’ll find some of the more popular attractions such as the Zip Line, Bungee Tower, Rapid Riser Reverse Bungee, Indy Karts, Batting Cages and more.  The kid’s will also enjoy some of their favorite attractions at the East base area with the Kiddy Karts, Kiddy Canoes, Kid’s Super Play Zone, Quad Bungee Trampoline and more.

Summit Tubing Hill — Spring visits to the mountain should provide adequate snow for tubing, a great experience for families of all ages. There’s also skiing and just playing in the snow. A great way to spend a day having fun.
Mt. Hood Cultural Museum — Probably more fun for older kids or adults, there is a large collection of local art and the docents were very knowledgeable about activities in the area. Worth a stop. If you have an artist in the family, you should also check out the Arts Cabins Project. It requires some planning ahead, but the classes and workshops are varied and really educational. Not all are open to children, so call and talk to someone before booking.

No matter what you choose to do, or which time of the year you choose to do it, there is allot of fun to be had on Mt. Hood! We hope you get out and enjoy the best mother nature has to offer and for lodging in the area be sure to check out our specials at www.collinslakeresort.com , that often include discounts on area attractions, rentals, and restaurants.

More Information: www.splashforpink.com/

Collins Lake Resort & the Mt Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl is pleased to be a sponsor of the third annual event “Splash for Pink”. Splash for Pink is a cancer-charity event to support breast cancer research. Oregonians affected by breast cancer will benefit from white-water rafters in Maupin, Or. All of the net proceeds from the event will go to benefit The Celilo Cancer Center Fund at The Mid-Columbia Health Foundation in The Dalles, St. Charles of Central Oregon, and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in Portland.

Follow them on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SplashForPink

In its third annual year, the event invites Oregonians to Maupin, Or on June 30th, 2012 to help raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. Splash for Pink will feature two 13-mile rafting trips sponsored by the imperial river rafting company on the Deschutes River. The days activities will include a delicious BBQ lunch, a Kids Fun Area, Silent Auction & Raffles with prizes from local area sponsors, Live Music all day on the lawn at Imperial River Company, and many more fun-filled activities. Rafting participants will receive one of the very popular Pink T-shirts and a Free BBQ Lunch.

Maupin-based Sage Canyon Outfitters and Imperial River Company invite the public to join the festivities starting at 8am with the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Imperial River Company, and followed by the first 13-mile guided rafting trip of the day. Registarion for the rafting trips are $79 donation per person for a 3-hour excursion and are available for advanced booking at www.splashforpink.com or by calling 541-815-9074. Participants will meet at both 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Imperial River Company.

Throughout the day, rafters and the public can enjoy a barbecue lunch ($10 for  non-rafters) and family-friendly activities. Local businesses with pink balloons displayed will also be offering special discounts & deals.

Breast cancer has touched all of our lives in one way or another, said Sara Ashely, Imperial River Company’s director of marketing. Several of the staff at Sage Canyon Outfitters and Imperial River Company—including the owners—have family members who have suffered from the disease, giving this cause an important place in our hearts.

The organization mission states: Our mission is to help raise money to find a cure for breast cancer and support members of our community who have been affected by breast cancer. Last year the event raised over $14, 000 and this year they are hoping participants will help them to exceed last years mark & make a new record. In an effort to help the event organizers raise money, Collins Lake Resort & the Mt. Hood Adventure Park will be donating their Summer Vacation Package – a two night stay at the Chalets at Collins Lake & 4 All Day Action Passes to the Mt. Hood Adventure Park.

To download a full list of the days activities Click Here: http://www.splashforpink.com/SplashforPinkSchedule.pdf

Racing for 75 minutes over the 1 km technical course with a downhill corkscrew turn, the men’s race suffered a large crash about halfway through the race that caused a restart, but the stage did little to change the overall classification.

A late-race breakaway provided plenty of excitement as three riders dangled just off the front of the field with less than 10 laps to go. Perrin joined Cal Giant Berry/Specialized’s Nate Wilson and Hagens Berman’s Jeff Wingfield in a move that gained just enough traction to keep the field at bay.

The trio had a slim margin of 10 seconds with three to go and started the last lap with just a seven-second sliver of a gap. By the time the breakaway reached the finish line it was indistinguishable from the field but still in front. Perrin came through the last corner second wheel but was able to jump ahead of Wilson for the win. Wingfield held on for third. Overall race leader Nate English finished safely in the bunch and will start Sunday’s finale stage in yellow.

The women’s race turned into a battle of attrition as Giant’s Kelli Emmett, who started the stage third overall, jumped away several times but was quickly reeled in by overall leader Rhae Shaw’s ExergyTWENTY12 teammate Alison Tetrick. The scenario played out over and over again until the group settled in for the bunch sprint.

Lehmann took an early lead down the straightaway and just managed to hold off Emmett and Tetrick, who took second and third, respectively. Shaw finished fourth on the stage and held onto her overall race lead.

California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized go 1-2: Nate Wilson wins Mt Hood Cycling Classic overall Stephen Leece second. Nate English (Kenda/5-Hr Energy) third

The 2012 Mt. Hood Cycling Classic concluded Sunday with the Three Summits Road Race, which started at Cooper Spur Resort and finished at the Cooper Spur Ski Area. The men raced 91 miles and tackled more than 10,000 feet of climbing through the Mt. Hood National Forest, while the women will faced 70 miles and more than 7,000 feet of climbing.

 
 
Winners of the Mt Hood Cycling Classic are as follows:

STAGE 3 RESULTS
Men 
1. Jeff Perin (Juwi Solar) 1:02:04
2. Nate Wilson (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) s.t.
3. Chris Wingfield (Hagens Berman) s.t.
4. Sam Bassetti (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) s.t
5. Stephen Leece (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) s.t.
6. Ricky Escuela (Full Circle Cycling) s.t.
7. Michael Larson (Full Circle Cycling) s.t.
8. Griffin Easter (Ritte U23 Development Team) s.t.
9. Andy Goessling (Team Mike’s Bikes) s.t.
10. Robin Eckmann (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) s.t.
Women 
1. Jenny Lehmann (Trek/Red Truck) 45:40
2. Kelli Emmett (Giant) s.t.
3. Alison Tetrick (ExergyTWENTY12) s.t.
4. Rhae Shaw (ExergyTWENTY12) s.t.
5. Hilary Billington (Veloce/Smith & Nephew) s.t.
6. Ivy Audrian (Keller Rohrback) s.t.
7. Jennifer Burtner (Olympia Orthopedic Associates) s.t.
8. Zayda Maguire (Kenda/Geargrinder) s.t.
9. Nicole Justice (Stevens Bikes/Pactimo)
10. Lindsay Fox (Athletes Lounge) s.t.
OVERALL RESULTS
Men 
1. Nate English (Kenda/5-Hour Energy) 5:13:46
2. Nate Wilson (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) @ :13
3. Sam Johnson (Team Exergy) @ :29
4. Evan Huffman (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) @ :34
5. Stephen Leece (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) @ :41
6. Julian Kyer (Juwi Solar) @ :59
7. Justin Rossi (Marc Pro-Strava) @ 1:06
8. Coulton Hartrich (Athletix Cycling/Globalbike) @ 1:15
9. Jonathan Teeter (Marc Pro-Strava) @ 1:17
10. Robin Eckmann (Cal Giant Berry/Specialized) @ 1:21
Women 
1. Rhae Shaw (ExergyTWENTY12) 4:09:31
2. Alison Tetrick (ExergyTWENTY12) @ 1:35
3. Kelli Emmett (Giant Factory Team) @ 7:49
4. Rosalyn Zylkowski (Keller Rohrback) @ 13:08
5. Kristina Lackner (Hutch’s) @ 13:44
6. Jenny Lehmann (Trek/Red Truck) @ 13:56
7. Nicole Justice (Stevens Bikes/Pactimo) @ 14:31
8. Jennifer Burtner (Olympia Orthopedic Associates) @ 14:44
9. Lisa Turnbull (REP) @ 15:28
10. Lindsay Fox (Athletes Lounge) @ 16:28

Final Race Day Overall Winners: Nate Wilson wins Mt Hood Cycling Classic overall Stephen Leece second. Nate English (Kenda/5-Hr Energy) third

Check the photo album out here http://cyclingaction.exposuremanager.com/g/2012_mt_hood_cycling_classic

Stay and Play with the best summer package on Mt. Hood.  This package is based on four occupants, includes a 2 night stay in a two or three-bedroom Chalet at Collins Lake Resort, plus four All Day Action Passes to over 20 attractions at Skibowl’s Mt. Hood Adventure Park.  Book Now at only $82 pp/nt.

To Book this Package Call 1-800-234-6288

This package includes:

• Two (2) nights lodging in a Collins Lake Resort Chalet for four (4) guests
• Four (4) All Day Action Passes to the Mt. Hood Adventure Park at Skibowl to be used during the dates of stay,

The Summer Family Getaway Package is priced at $656 and is available for four (4) guests, that’s just $82 person per night a 20% Savings! The Family Getaway Package must be paid in full at the time of reservation and is non-refundable. No substitutions. Valid July 1, 2012 – August 30th, 2012.

*Additional Nights available at a discounted rate.

Stay three nights at beautiful Collins Lake Resort & only pay for two!

Collins Lake Resort is offering a last minute early summer get away special now thru June 9th. For every two nights booked during May28th-June 9th, 2012 you’ll receive a third night free. Come stay with us and enjoy discounts on rentals & guided tours from Mt. Hood Adventure. Get out and enjoy a hike in beautiful Mt. Hood National forest.

There’s alot in bloom right now. Enjoy a short hike to beautiful Hidden Lake, one of the shortest walks to a lake located in the Mt. Hood Wilderness area. This is a nice walk in the month of June with Rhododendrons and Beargrass blooms being much more spectacular than the lake itself. This is just one of many beutiful hikes within just a short trek from your luxury Mt. Hood vacation rental. For more information on hikes & things to do during your stay on Mt. Hood visit Mt Hood Adventure’s website at www.mthoodadventure.com

For a limited time Collins Lake Resort will be offering an additional dicount on lodging with a minimum 2 night stay. For the remaining month of April come enjoy one of Mt. Hood’s best spring skiing seasons in history and stay for only $45 a night, per person. (minimum 2 night stay & based on a 4 person occupancy)
 

“I would like to send a special thank you to all our heroes in uniform who workdiligently to make our community what it is today. Being able to offer these families a well-deserved opportunity to enjoy themselves with winter activities on Mt. Hood is the least I can do to show my appreciation for their daily commitment to serving us,” said Kirk Hanna, owner and operator of Mt. Hood Skibowl.

For more information on the discount please contact Mt Hood Skibowl directly. Skibowl is the closest ski resort to Portland and America’s Largest Night Ski Area, located at 87000 East Highway 26, in Government Camp, Oregon. The main information line is 503-222-BOWL (2695). Online at www.skibowl.com.

For the lodging discounts contact Collins Lake Resort directly at 800-234-6288.

Three night stay at Collins Lake Resort on Mt Hood with pizza & drinks! only $429!

Just ‘Click’ on the image above to visit the Groupon website & purchase your deal.

Make this Valentine’s Day special with a night to remember. Enjoy a delicious wine and prime rib dinner with roses and chocolate covered strawberries. Include night skiing or riding under the lights at America’s Largest Night Ski Area, then cuddle up in a romantic fireplace suite at Collins Lake Resort.

Romantic Fireplace Acommodations

Stay in a classic Chalet with Cascadian stone fireplace and all the amenities you would expect and then some. Relax at the clubhouse with a heated swimming pool, hot tub, jetted leisure pool and sauna. A mountain retreat to romance your loved one!

Two FREE Tickets to Skibowl

Enjoy two tickets to America’s Largest Night Ski Area, Mt. Hood Skibowl, for a romantic evening of skiing under the lights. Ski or ride anytime between 3pm and 10pm. Do it under the lights!
 
 
 

Wine & Roses Dinner for 2

Escape your evening of adventure for a romantic wine and roses prime rib dinner for two at the Ratskeller lodge. Enjoy a private table complete with a classic red rose and a glass of wine or champagne to set the mood, followed by a delicious prime rib dinner and NY style cheesecake for dessert… plus chocolate covered strawberries!

Hurry & Book Your Valentine’s Day at Mt Hood!

Stay a 3rd NIGHT at Collins Lake Resort and recieve 1/2 off! Save over 30% on a three night stay!

Stay 2 or more nights at Collins Lake Resort and receive your 3rd night 1/2 price! Valid for stays until Dec 25th!

Plus save up to 50% off lift tickets to Skibowl, Timberline and Meadows or stay midweek and ski free!

*Limited availability. Call Now for reservations, 800-234-6288.

** Not valid with any other offer or current reservations.