How to Take the Mt Hood Express to Timberline Lodge

My Honda Fit has many virtues, but agility in snow isn’t one of them. Longing to snowshoeing, I tried out the Mt Hood Express for the first time. This bus runs between Sandy, Oregon, and Timberline Lodge. You can catch it by driving to one of Sandy's park-and-ride lots or transferring from Portland public transit. Don’t be discouraged by the Mt Hood Express’s baffling website. It’s easy once you know the drill. Here’s how to take the bus to Government Camp and Timberline Lodge.

Where can I park to take the Mt Hood Express?

If you have a car, drive to the park and ride at the Sandy Operations Center, 16610 Champion Way, Sandy, OR 97055. I found a spot here easily on a weekday, but it was full on a Sunday morning. I parked at the Fred Meyer down the street when I couldn’t find a spot. It’s about a 3-5 minute walk to the bus stop.

Parking at the Sandy Operations Center is free. The Mt Hood Express will pick you up at the stop next to the parking lot entrance. The operations center has a bathroom. You’re allowed to wait inside, but it’s more of an office with a couple of chairs rather than a waiting room. The operations center is the beginning of the route to Timberline Lodge, so you’re most likely to get a seat on the bus if you start here.

Chairs the Sandy Operations Center — *Sandy Operations Center*

Other potential park and ride lots are at the Sandy Transit Center, the Hoodland Senior Center, and at the intersection of Hwy 26 and Welches Rd.

How much does it cost to ride the Mt Hood Express?

It costs $2 for a single fare or $5 for a day pass to ride the Mt Hood Express.

How do I pay for the Mt Hood Express?

The Mt Hood Express only accepts cash. You need exact change. To pay, you put your bills in the cashbox by the driver. In a pinch, the staff at the operations center might be able to make change. I saw another rider get change for a five there.

When does the Mt Hood Express run?

The Mt Hood Express runs seven days a week, about every two hours. It leaves the Sandy Operations Center at 5:15 AM, 7:45 AM, 9:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:15 PM, 3:15 PM, and 6:15 PM. From December through March, there’s also a 9:00 PM departure. This latest bus goes to Timberline on Fridays and Saturdays. It ends at Government Camp during the week.

The Mt Hood Express returns to Sandy from Timberline Lodge at 6:45 AM, 9:15 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:45 PM, 4:45 PM, and 7:45 PM. From December through March, there’s also a 10:20 PM departure on Fridays and Saturdays, or a 10:02 PM departure Sunday - Thursday.

The bus sometimes has delays due to weather and road conditions. It’s mostly been on time when I’ve gone. You can try the Passiogo app to track the buses in real time. I found it a little hit and miss as far as accuracy.

The Mt Hood Express does not run on Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Find the full schedule here.

Cascade Mountains — *The Mt Hood Express brings you to beautiful places, like this view in front of Timberline Lodge.*

Can I bring gear onto the Mt Hood Express?

Yes, you can bring gear onto the Mt Hood Express. The bus has bike racks all year. In winter, it has a trailer in the back to stash skis and snowboards. Toward the back of the bus are a couple of small luggage racks for backpacks.

Snowshoes on seat in Mt Hood Express — *My bag got its own seat on the way to Timberline*

Can I bring my dog onto the Mt Hood Express?

Pets in carriers are allowed on the Mt Hood Express.

Where does the Mt Hood Express stop?

After leaving the operations center, the Mt Hood Express makes a handful of stops between Sandy and Timberline Lodge. The ones with the most recreation potential are Ski Bowl West, Government Camp, and the final stop at Timberline Lodge. Find the schedule here.

Mt Hood Express bus stop at Timberline Lodge — *Bus stop at Timberline Lodge*

How long does it take to ride the Mt Hood Express?

The trip from the Sandy Operations Center to Timberline Lodge is about an hour on the Mt Hood Express. If you drive from Portland to Sandy, the trip is about two hours in total. If you’re taking public transit from Portland, it’s more like 2.5 - 3 hours.

Timberline Lodge covered with snow — *Timberline Lodge*

Is the Mt Hood Express wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Mt Hood Express has a wheelchair lift. Drivers are trained to assist passengers as needed.

How is the ride on the Mt Hood Express?

It’s pleasant. The seats are comfortable, and the drive is pretty. In winter, the moment when you start seeing snow on the conifer boughs is always beautiful. At busy times, the seats fill up. When I rode on a Sunday morning, people had to start standing in the aisle by the third stop. On a Monday, the bus only got about half full. I think the bus does fill up occasionally, and people have to wait for the next one. I wouldn’t worry about getting stranded since the last buses will be less full, but it might mean a long wait during busy times since the buses run so infrequently.

How can I get from Portland to Mt Hood without a car?

You don’t need a car to get from Portland to Mt Hood, but it’s a long trip with at least a couple of transfers. If you’re going on a day trip, it’ll be about 5-6 hours of travel time. Here’s how to do it:

Take Trimet to the Gresham Transit Center. The MAX blue line goes there, as do some bus lines. The transit center doesn’t have bathrooms. A Trimet day pass is $5.60.
Take the Sandy Area Metro (SAM) bus from the Gresham Transit Center to the Sandy Transit Center. Buy a day pass for $5. It will also cover the Mt Hood Express. You will need exact change. The Sandy Transit Center has bathrooms.
Take the Mt Hood Express from the Sandy Transit Center.

Mt Hood in winter — *Mt Hood’s summit in winter*

Destinations from the Mt Hood Express

Go skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing at Timberline Lodge. In the summer, check out the hiking trails.
Head to Summit Pass in Government Camp for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. The lift tickets are significantly cheaper than at Timberline.
Try the snowshoe trails from Government Camp.
Go skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing at Ski Bowl West. After dark, the light comes on for cosmic tubing.
Hike or snowshoe to Mirror Lake from Ski Bowl West.
Try out the trails at Wildwood Recreation Site. Get off the Mt Hood Express at the Hoodland Senior Center stop. Then, walk a half mile east on Highway 26 to the park entrance. Wildwood rarely gets snow, even in winter. If you want to find some, you can start up the Huckleberry Mountain trail.