Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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 Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hood River / Multnomah counties, Oregon, USA |
| Nearest city | Hood River, Oregon |
| Area | 65,822 acres (26,637 ha) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness is a special protected area in Oregon, USA. It's located on the northern side of Mount Hood in the Cascade Range. This wilderness is also close to the amazing Columbia River Gorge and is part of the Mount Hood National Forest.
Before it became a wilderness area, it was called the Columbia Gorge Recreation Area. The land here goes from low areas near the river (about 100 feet or 30 meters high) up to tall mountain peaks. The highest point is Mount Defiance, which is about 4,900 feet (1,494 meters) high. The main waterways in this wilderness are Herman Creek, Eagle Creek, and Tanner Creek.
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Exploring the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness
This wilderness area is a great place for outdoor adventures. You can enjoy many activities here, like camping and backpacking. It's also perfect for watching wildlife and hiking. There are about 200 miles (322 kilometers) of trails to explore. About 14 miles (23 kilometers) of the famous Pacific Crest Trail also pass through this area.
Because it's not far from Portland, many people like to visit the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. It's a popular spot for those who love nature and outdoor fun.
Nature and Landscape
The Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness is home to beautiful forests and unique land features.
Old-Growth Forests
In the lower parts of the wilderness, you'll find groves of very old trees. These include tall Douglas-fir trees, hemlock, and cedar. These "old-growth" forests have trees that have been growing for hundreds of years.
Columbia River Gorge Features
The northern part of the wilderness has features that are typical of the Columbia River Gorge. You can see towering cliffs made of basalt rock and many beautiful waterfalls.
High Elevation Views
As you go higher up, you'll find forested plateaus and ridges. There are also "hanging meadows" (open grassy areas on slopes) and subalpine lakes. From these higher spots, you can enjoy amazing views of the entire Cascade Range and the stunning Columbia River Gorge.
Who Was Mark O. Hatfield?
The Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness was named after a very important person from Oregon. His name was Mark Hatfield. He served as a United States Senator and also as the Governor of Oregon. The wilderness area was named in his honor.
