Hi All,

I'm looking for a good, hard, climb or hike in the Portland area (few hours away is fine) for the wife and I to do in March. I know that there's a plethora of trails all over the place, but:

I have alpine skills, know how to use crampons and an ice axe. The wife does not, and this isn't a teaching trip. I'd like to find something that ends with a nice summit with great views, can be done in a day, etc.

Looking for the Pacific Northwest experts here to have any recommendations?

Thanks!

Mt. St. Helens, 1.5 hours away. Take snow shoes and hiking poles.

St Helens is a 5000' ascent, kind of a long day. I would suggest lookout Mountain, near Mt. Hood, probably more like 9 miles round trip and 3000'. Nice views of Hood on a clear day. Stop in Hood River or at Timberline lodge on the way back to PDX. You would expect to need snowshoes, these can be rented numerous places, try The Mountain Shop in PDX or there should be somewhere near Government Camp.

http://paulgerald.com/portland-hikes/be ... -mountain/