April 18, 2014 - Mt. Hood, Timberline

The weather forecast on the 17th was for winds of up to 40mph and 2-4'' of new snow with temperatures in the 20's.  We usually park in the Timberline parking lot, but the high winds would have been nasty.  We parked near Rhododendron at a nice trail head protected from the winds.  It rained all night and when we woke it was cloudy and at 3000' it looked terrible. We called the ski report and at 7AM it was 22 degrees with 4” of new and the winds were 15mph.  As we drove higher at 4500' it was sunny and Mt Hood was beautiful and clear.  It was cold with some light winds and fresh snow.  The winds from last night moved the snow about, but for 2 hours the terrain had fresh snow.  The early skiing was off the Jeff Flood and Stormin' Norman lifts.  By 11am the temperature was rising and for the next 2 hours it was spring snow conditions.  The Magic Mile lift opened and the runs were fun with fast turns.  We left at 1pm and by then the mountain was enclosed in cloud.  It was a great powder and then spring day!  With our ski passes we can ski until May 26 and use our touring gear.