(East Flank of Mount Hood by WM House at Archean Art (©2025 Archean Enterprises, LLC)
Landscape Art
Everyone enjoys a good view of a volcano unless it’s spewing magma and pyroclastic debris in your general direction (then you had better stop looking and haul ass). These magnificent geological edifices attest to the power of Mother Nature. It is hard to travel around the roads of Portland, Oregon, without catching at least a few views of Mount Hood.
Mount Hood is one of 20 volcanos in the Cascade Range, which stretches 700 miles from Northern California to British Columbia. Its nearest neighbors to the North are Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Rainier. Geologically speaking, the Cascade volcanos are young. Mount Hood towers over 11,000 feet and built its impressive height through continual eruptions over the last 500,000 to 700,000 years. Yes, Speaker Johnson, this mountain is over 5,000 years old despite your unfailing support for the Young Earth Creationists.
Mount Hood gained its current name in October 1792, when British naval officer William Broughton spotted the mountain from the Columbia River. Unable to ask around and get the local name for the peak, he named it after British Admiral Lord Samuel Hood. Sadly, as is often the case, the mountain already had a name.
Love and Jealousy (A Klickitat tale)
Hidden in the mists of time is a period when gods ruled the earth, and it was in those days when the powerful god-chieftain Tyhee Saghalie set out on a journey with his two sons, Pahto and Wy’east. They were searching for a land of beauty and bounty where they could settle and thrive. Their wanderings eventually brought them to a river gushing from the northeast and slicing its way through a range of sparkling snow-capped mountains.
The travelers gazed at the beautiful land, and each of the sons greedily wanted it all for themself. They quarreled for days until Tyhee Saghalie could take no more. He silenced them, and while they watched, he shot two arrows into the clear blue sky. One arrow traveled far into the mountains north of the river, and Pahto followed it. The second arrow sped southward, chased by Wy’east.
The young gods were happy until they both fell under the charms of the lovely Loowit. A burning desire for the maiden blinded both sons and a violent fight erupted. The earth shook under their blows, burying villages and forests.
Saghalie’s anger exploded, and his punishment was swift. The three lovers were struck down and turned into mountains, where they fell. Loowit was fleeing towards the ocean, and she transformed into Mount St. Helens. Pahto and Wy’east remained on opposite sides of the river. Pahto (Mount Adams) tilted his head westward toward his love, and Wy’east (Mount Hood) gazed northward across the river at his brother and lost love.
Clearly, the poor Loowit got the raw end of the deal. She was struck down because she was born beautiful.
The Other Side
Most of Oregon’s population resides west of the Cascades, so the most common view of Mount Hood is of its west and southwest flanks. The feature image for this article is from the high desert east of the mountains, exposing the volcano’s east flank. The original scene was captured from the north bank of the Columbia River Gorge near Maryhill, Washington. The Maryhill winery sits nearby, perched over the gorge, providing gorgeous views while you dine at their outdoor cafe. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle or two of wine while you are there.
