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Rise Above

Oregon · USA

As if floating atop a cushion of clouds, Mt. Hood rises up to catch the waning rays of a late-afternoon sun, as viewed from the craggy remnants of Larch Mountain’s volcanic plug. We’d have been wise to carry our snowshoes with us on this day; instead, we had to posthole our way up the snow-covered road to Larch Mountain four miles beyond where it was gated off for winter conditions. This view of Lady Hood lording over the Bull Run Valley made it all worthwhile, of course, but I tell you, with air temps in the mid-20s Fahrenheit and winds whipping around this way and that a good 30 mph or more, I thought I was going to lose my fingers. Thankfully, all five little piggies and their twins eventually pinked back up and managed to return to the car intact.