An Unforgettable Trek: Washougal children conquer Mount Hood’s Timberline Trail

Washougal resident Randy Lavasseur believes that the physical and mental health of children are changing due to modern-day conveniences and the instant gratification that they bring — and not for the better.

“They are meant to be outside doing difficult things, things that take time to show results — not contaminating their minds with devices, poisoning their mental health by watching television all day or lounging on the beach and eating until they can’t (eat anymore), killing their hearts,” he said. “They are meant to learn how to be at peace with difficult things and build resilience, to be fit, physically and mentally, via nature’s playground.”

Lavasseur’s two children and three of their friends displayed their resilience and fitness during a recent hike through one of the Pacific Northwest’s most challenging “natural playgrounds.” The five Washougal children conquered the 42-mile Timberline Trail that loops around Oregon’s Mount Hood earlier this summer, and completed the hike in five days.

“(They persevered through) melting snow fields, dangerous snow bridges, raging water crossings and tree debris throughout this early season trek around Mount Hood in Oregon, an adventure that tests the most experienced of hikers,” Lavasseur, a deputy regional director for the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service, stated in his journal.

The Timberline Loop Trail “is one of Oregon’s most iconic and scenic trails,” according to cleverhiker.com.

“Again, the kids had to use their training, this time to rappel off a 50-foot cliff to the water’s edge of another flowing creek that was rushing down the mountain with urgency,” Lavasseur stated.

For the rest of the day, they faced “extreme water passages that would deter most adults,” according to Lavasseur.

“As the kids clipped into the safety line, I could see the eagerness turn into nervousness,” he stated. “That trepidation soon turned into excitement each time they tackled a new water crossing. Lillianna, being the smallest of the group, would fall into the chilling water at nearly every significant crossing. When the water line was at most knee- or waist-high, she would have to walk through it at her waist or chest. She would not be deterred. This day brought the most spectacular views. High on the mountain they posed for pictures at an old shelter with smiles of accomplishments.”

On the third day, the children began to show signs of fatigue as they faced the “most technical and frightening” section of the hike up to that point.

“Surprisingly, this didn’t slow them down or diminish their excitement,” Lavasseur stated. “This day brought significant water crossings and downed trees. Over and under, they circumnavigated the puzzles the tree falls created. Through the snow and freezing unpredictable water, they continued their journey.”

As they began to normalize the process of clipping on snow crampons and improvised harnesses, they encountered a “volatile creek that looked more like a raging river,” according to Lavasseur.

“This time, it was clear that it was too dangerous to cross,” he stated. “As the sunset began to close in on them, a zipline was quickly built. First, each backpack was zipped to the other side. Then, each kid clipped into the line. With nervous smiles, each one of them quickly found themselves on the other side of the rapid. To make it even more thrilling, the three dogs that were also on this trip were zipped through the air and into the arms of safety.”

The kids had an easier time of it on the fourth day, however, following less-challenging terrain to the “magical” Ramona Falls waterfall.

“Now on the northern end of Mount Hood, the trail was more subdued, and had less elevation gain and descent,” Lavasseur stated. “The kids needed an easier day. They were filled with cuts, bruises and bug bites. They also needed to make up for lost mileage due to the number of technical crossings that ate away at the day and distance. On the way, an unexpected snow-rimmed pond appeared. Filled with refreshing water and frogs to chase, the kids rested and played, bringing much-needed relaxation and the musical sounds of kids playing in nature’s playground.”

On the fifth and final day, the children once again showed signs of fatigue, but didn’t back down from the 10-mile uphill climb that they faced.