Circumambulation of Mt. Hood

This year the Red Cedar Zen Community Wilderness Dharma Program continues our progression of circumambulating the major volcanos of Pacific Cascadia with a ceremonial mediation journey around Mt. Hood.

The week-long trip begins and ends with a night spent at Timberline Lodge.  Timberline is perhaps the crown jewel of old lodges in the Cascade range.  To wander through the soaring wooden spaces and view the copious artwork and carvings that make up this grand structure is an experience in itself. The lodge stands as a home base for all in the region who love mountains.

Standing at 11,240' Mt. Hood, our regions second highest peak, is second only to Mt. Fuji on a list of  the world's most climbed high technical mountains, and is a prime destination for hikers, recreationalists, and pilgrims far and wide.  Our seven day route will be the famed Timberline Trail, one of Pacific Cascadia's most treasured mountain circuits. Our trek will take us sunwise around the mountain, in hiking days ranging between 5 and 10 miles.  As we hike we will perform daily rituals at significant places such as monumental views and waterfalls.  Along the way we will traverse Mt. Hood's vast carpeted wildflower meadow, deep forested valley's, and high volcanic ridges and glaciers.

Our journey will be conducted in our usual manner as a meditation retreat, with silent hiking, and morning and evening meditation periods.  We will operate as a mobile meditation retreat, sharing roles and duties to keep us all moving down the trail as a tightly knit cooperative expedition group. As we near the completion of our circuit we will stop for a one day mediation retreat at a remote log shelter in the wilderness, before our final day of hiking, making a ford across the White River and back to the lodge.

The registration fee for this program covers all food and housing, except for meals at Timberline Lodge.  This fee covers only the hard cost portion of the retreat.  Teaching and guidance in meditation and backpacking is offered on a Dana (generosity) basis.  Dana is considering like "paying it forward", so that others may experience what you have experienced.  A separate opportunity is given to contribute Dana towards the leadership and instruction received on the trip.  All participants will have a phone screening with the trip leader before final acceptance for the program.