“Oh, hello, Mars!” said another snowshoe participant, “I don’t know the last time I saw Mars in the sky.” Come to think of it, I don’t remember the last time I looked either. But seeing the stars through the snow-covered trees while standing on Mt. Hood in snowshoes, the orange glow was unmistakable. This surreal moment was brought to you by the beginner-friendly Mt. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour with Rare Earth Adventures that I took in December 2022. We loaded into a van near Portland, drove to Mt. Hood, strapped on snowshoes, and walked into a snow-covered night. Our evening did not have strong moonlight, allowing us to see more stars, constellations, and Mt. Hood glowing in the distance.
For the Moonlit Snowshoe tour, I took my close friend, Lilian, who loves to snowshoe and would appreciate the tour. It would be my first time snowshoeing and her first time snowshoeing at night. We had a hilarious time learning to snowshoe purely by feeling as our eyes adjusted to the dark and staying absolutely still as we tried (somewhat successfully) to capture ourselves with Mt. Hood. And we appreciated seeing the stars, Mt. Hood, and out in nature covered with a blanket of snow. It was surreal and phenomenal, so let’s get into the experience.
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Mt. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour – Check-in Process
You can check availability and book your spot on various tours directly on the Rare Earth Adventures Website. The Moonlit Snowshoe tour does not run every day, but it does on most weekends. The website states that the tour runs from 4:30 – 9:30, but it is best to arrive early (they recommend 4:00 pm). You meet at the Rare Earth Adventures office, where our guide greeted and set us up for the evening. There was a large variety of snacks set up on the table. We were encouraged to take whatever we wanted for the tour, plus a metal cup for our warm beverage. I picked apple cider, Doritos, and a granola bar.
Our guide, Connor, gave us a general overview of the evening. They already had the van packed with snowshoes, poles, and extra headlamps. Once everyone had used the restroom and was set, we loaded into the van. I recommend using the bathrooms at the office because the ones at the trailhead are vault toilets! The van ride was a full hour from Troutdale to our snowshoe location on Mt. Hood. Connor told us he might need to drive slower due to the road conditions, and I was happy not to be the one driving! The van was full and warm, and I would have dozed off if I wasn’t so excited to start snowshoeing.
One cool note was that every person (10 guests, 1 staff, and 1 guide) wore masks for the entire van ride in both directions. I was so grateful because on December 17, Covid, RSV, and the flu were picking up again, and I was worried about getting sick for the holidays. It was a relief, and we did not get sick – yay!!
At a Glance:
- Rating: 4 (out of 4) stars; what a surreal and fun experience! I would definitely do it again!
- Intensity: Warm, snow layers (base layers, water/wind resistant and insulated toppers), gloves, beanies, and headlamps.
- Location: Meet in Troutdale, Oregon, Snowshoe on Mt. Hood
- Cost: $115 per person — the tour was discounted for me to write this post, be sure to read my “Full Transparency” section for how I think that impacted my experience.
- Bathrooms: At the Rare Earth Adventures office and trailhead
- Timing: 4.5 – 6 hours (4:00 – 10:00 pm for us)
Highlights:
- Seeing Mt. Hood glow in the night, stars above, and snow on all the tree branches.
- Learning to snowshoe by feel in the dark.
- Hot drink (I chose apple cider) in the snow with a view of Mt. Hood.
- Transportation was included, so I didn’t have to worry about driving in the snow.
- Feeling safe to do a nighttime activity in the wilderness – I would probably have never done this on my own!
Lowlights:
- Due to the darkness of moonlit snowshoe, it was super tough to get photos (I’m surprised any of these came out!!) I recommend simply enjoying yourself instead of trying to capture the moment.
- The distance you go depends on the speed of the group. We only went 2 miles (one mile each way), and I would have loved to get to even fluffier snow. But I also enjoyed a slow pace for my first time snowshoeing and taking photos.
Strapping on Headlamps and Snowshoes
In the parking area, it was already DARK. If we didn’t bring a headlamp, Connor had some ready for us as we exited the van. I wish I had brought my own because it has a red light. The red light is a great way to see without dilating your eyes, so you can also see the stars. Not all of the Rare Earth headlamps had the red light feature. After adjusting jackets and headlamps, we gathered around to get poles and snowshoes. Connor had us pick a snowshoe size and introduced us to trekking pole length and how to strap on the snowshoes.
I opted out of getting poles as I figured it would be too much to juggle with trying to capture photos. I also figured that my backpacking and hiking balance muscles would be enough. Due to the slow pace of the group, I was correct. If we were going further and in deeper snow, I would have used poles (no pole shaming around here!).
We then walked over to the snowy trailhead to strap on our snowshoes. We were each in charge of strapping in our own snowshoes, which helped me feel more comfortable with the equipment. I was a little overzealous with my first snowshoe and nearly cut off the circulation in my toes, but I could adjust the tightness when the group took a break to listen to our guide. With my snowshoes strapped, they felt secure and ready to walk around. Our first challenge was getting up an icy embankment to gather around before we officially started walking. The metal cramps on the toe area allowed me to effortlessly dig into the ice, and the larger part of the snowshoe tilted to climb the hill effortlessly. Snowshoe tech has really improved!
Snowshoeing First Steps and Mt. Hood in the Moonlight
On flat ground, Connor reminded us that there was no particular technique except to walk a little wider than usual. We began taking our first snowshoe steps. He also encouraged us to go without headlamps for our eyes to adjust to the dark. We were on a large snow field, where people played and sledded during the day. The sky was clear, and I could see stars above, with Mt. Hood looming in the distance. The snow in this area was well-compacted, and I could have walked this part in snow boots. However, I took this as a time to practice snowshoeing.
Since I didn’t use the headlamp, I paid close attention to how the snowshoes felt with each step. It was my first snowshoe, so I was probably taking wider steps than necessary. Even with a wide step, walking wasn’t hard; it was easier than expected! As we walked, I played around with the width and length of my strides, paying attention to when I hit the snowshoe on the other.
We pulled over for a second on fresh snow to chat about our view of Mt. Hood. In the deep snow, it was much harder to walk or move around as the sides of the snowshoes would be coming in contact with the snow. I needed to pick my feet way up and NOT GO BACKWARD. If there’s one thing you remember about snowshoeing is to never walk backward, with a much higher risk of falling over. Instead, turn step by step around. Connor talked to us about Mt. Hood, the stream in front of us, and the crazy katabatic wind, which was whipping (or kissing, depending on your interpretation) us as we walked across the empty field.
Put Your High Heels On
We continued on the flat ground until we reached a steep hill, where we were instructed to try out the snowshoe’s heel lift, or as our guide called them, “high heels.” The heel lift is a bar that would allow your foot to stay at an angle to the ground so that your ankles were not over-stretched. On flat ground, the little bar elevates the back of your shoe by an inch or two, so it feels like you’re in high heel shoes. It felt strange, but I trusted Connor and began climbing the hill. On the hill, I was amazed – it felt like my foot was flat as my snowshoe gripped the snow at an angle. Instead of an ankle-bending hill, I climbed a bunch of little stairs. How cool!
We had a break at the top of the hill as we waited for the rest of the group. We were surrounded by just a handful of trees, but the wind was already tremendously less. My friend and I attempted photos in this area with moderate success.
Beyond the hill, the snow was much deeper and thicker. We really needed to be single-file as we made our way through the trees that were heavy with snow. I could see Mt. Hood peeking through the trees when I looked around. It was a little eerie being in a woodsy environment at night, but also gorgeous.
Sippin’ Cider at the Camp Kitchen
After about five more minutes of snowshoeing, we stopped at a small clearing with a view of Mt. Hood through the trees. Connor told us this was where we would build our “camp kitchen,” which entailed walking in a circle in the deep snow until we had compacted the area. Stomping in the deep snow was fun, but much harder to stay balanced. Luckily no one fell over, and we had a cleared area to enjoy a snack and hot beverage. We all pulled out our cups and powdered beverages and stuck them into the snow as Connor came around to fill them with hot water. Lilian chose hot chocolate, whereas I chose apple cider. The overly sweet hot beverage HIT THE SPOT – whew, it was tasty after trudging along and breathing somewhat heavily.
We stargazed and saw both Mars AND Jupiter. We could see so many constellations with clear conditions and no visible moon. For whatever reason, I wasn’t ready for a snack and instead used this snack break to get more photos. While I liked snowshoeing around, I loved stopping to take in the scenery. Also, it was much quieter when we were all standing still. It was a bit surprising how loud the snowshoes were!!
Spread Out Return Trip in Peace
Fueled by our snacks and delicious sugar beverage, it was time to return to the trailhead. On the return trip, Connor had us wait 15 steps behind the person in front of us to be somewhat alone in nature. Now that I felt confident operating the snowshoes, the extra space was exciting. And what a different experience!! I looked at the stars and snow-covered trees, listened to the wind (and my own steps), and appreciated the experience. How freaking cool was it that I was snowshoeing with clear skies on Mt. Hood? Was that a shooting star?! Wow.
Approaching the big hill, I was a little nervous, but it was one of those “trust-your-equipment” moments. The snowshoes easily gripped the snow, and I could walk downhill without any problems. I did, however, take smaller steps. We stopped once more at the trailhead for Connor to review our packing-out procedures. Thank goodness he did this before the trailhead because the parking area had become a full-on party zone. Music was playing, bonfires were lit, and more cars were entering the parking zone. What a contrast to our peaceful nature experience!! When we first arrived, we had seen some campervans in the lot – likely skiers and snowboarders eager to get the first chair, but this was a whole new crew.
I skedaddled over to the bathrooms before a line formed. The vault toilets could have been more pleasant, but they did the job. After thoroughly sanitizing, I had a snack in the van while waiting for everyone’s restroom visit. I was smarter on the ride home and shed a layer or two before fully settling in. Connor carefully and safely drove us back to Troutdale, where we finished the moonlit snowshoe tour. What an incredible experience!
Photos While Night Snowshoeing – SO TOUGH
I knew it would be hard to get good photos on the moonlit snowshoe tour, and I was right. We lucked out with clear conditions, but it was a particularly dark night without moonlight on my tour. I needed to hold the camera steady for 3 full seconds to capture anything on my iPhone 12 Pro. Any movement would cause it to be blurry, so I was pleasantly surprised with these shots. Lilian and I kept trying — we had fun taking two to five of the same picture to give ourselves the best chance of a good photo. I brought a tripod with me, but I never used it. Yes, it would have held my camera steady, but I worried it would be a huge distraction (and time commitment) for myself and the rest of the group. Ultimately, I decided to focus on hand-held shots whenever we stopped.
Overall, I recommend not worrying too much about photos but rather focusing on being present and soaking up the experience.
However, if you would like to try, here are my recommendations:
- Check the phase of the moon before booking. Going on a full moon will give you more light, and your photos will likely be less blurry.
- On a brighter night, you’ll be able to capture more with any phone or camera. But when the moon is not full or visible, night photo capabilities or an adjustable shutter speed are key.
- Have a patient friend. Lilian and I both utilized group stops for photo-taking while making sure not to slow down the group and still having fun.
- Play with the headlamp light. If you have someone in your shot, you’ll need a little light to get both the subject and Mt. Hood. We got both in focus a handful of times.
- Capture some video! While it captured less detail, a video was great for showing the experience. I found this best when walking alone on the return trip, as we all had headlamps.
What To Bring With You – Moonlit Snowshoe Tour
We made this trip on December 17, which was probably in the 20s on Mt. Hood. Not to brag, but I nailed my clothing – never too hot or too cold – despite working hard in cold temps. I attribute this success to knowing how my body functions (I’m always a little cold), wearing light layers, and having a wind-resistant outer layer. The wind was what amped up the chill factor. Take a look at what Rare Earth Adventures provides, and build out what you bring from there.
Rare Earth Adventures Provides: (Check their website for any changes)
- Snowshoes
- Poles
- Headlamp
- Transportation from Troutdale
- Hot beverages and snacks
- A professional guide
What to Wear:
- Jacket – I wore my white Patagonia nano-puff hoody under the honcho poncho.
- Snow Pants – Ideally, insulated pants. I wore Backcountry ski pants, which are insulated and water-resistant. If you don’t have snow pants, consider getting rain pants and wearing a base layer underneath. Aim for something to cut the wind.
- Base Layers – wear something under your pants!! I tried out these merino-blended tights from Old Navy (they worked just fine), and I had a Patagonia Capilene midweight zip-neck sweater on top.
- Beanie – a definite must! I wore this cute/silly one with two pom poms from Amazon. The beanie is fleece-lined, which keeps my noggin toasty!
- Shoes – I wore my Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boots because they’ve always been hot when hiking. Pick something warm and waterproof.
- Gloves – Lilian had these great gloves to touch your phone screen. I need to invest in something like that! If your hands get cold, wear warmer gloves plus hand warmers.
- Headlamp – I brought it with me this weekend but forgot it in the van! #facepalm I wish I had brought mine because it has the red light feature. I borrowed one from Rare Earth Adventures, which matched my honcho poncho. If you’d like to buy one, Black Diamond is the classic brand I’m familiar with, and the Spot 400 is a solid choice. OR the Petzl Actik Core has a rechargeable battery – very cool! It also gets very good reviews.
- Honcho Poncho – I got these to review for my campervan weekend and wore them ALL weekend, including on the snowshoe tour. They are not wind resistant at the sleeves/sides but blocked my front. While very silly, they were a great layer to wear while snowshoeing.
Who is the Moonlit Snowshoe Tour Best For?
The snowshoeing on this tour was very slow-paced and suitable for beginners. While it depended on everyone in the group, our guide regularly told us he was only going to go as fast as the slowest snowshoer. He did a great job making everyone feel welcome and was available at any time to help. I LOVED the welcoming and educational vibe of Rare Earth Adventures. The website says you could go 2 – 4 miles roundtrip, and we went 2 miles! While I might have been able to move faster, I appreciated the stops to take in the scenery and stargaze. The slow pace didn’t bother me, but if you have snowshoe experience and would like to tackle some miles, this might not be the best tour.
In addition to the mechanics of snowshoeing, our guide would periodically stop to talk about Mt. Hood, the conditions, and what we were seeing/experiencing. I absolutely loved this and would have enjoyed even more of these talks. Overall, this tour is excellent for beginner snowshoers and those looking to have a unique winter nature experience.
Other Experiences offered by Rare Earth Adventures
In addition to the moonlit snowshoe, Rare Earth Adventures offers additional ways to get outdoors and on the nearby mountains in both winter and summer. They even provide some tours specifically to LGBTQ+, which is just another way they are welcoming and inclusive – yay! Here’s a quick breakdown of what they have as of January 2023:
- Winter Skill Building: Based on this snowshoe tour, I trust Rare Earth adventures to provide incredible skill-building experiences! They offer an introduction to Backcountry Ski and Splitboard and Alpine Skills.
- Winter Backpacking: An area that I’d love to try out (but the gear is a consideration) is winter backpacking! Rare Earth offers 3 nights on Crater Lake and one night at Mt. St. Helens, where they also help you learn the ins-and-outs of a winter excursion. I think the sunset and sunrise surrounded by snow would be stunning.
- Summer Backpacking: In the summer, you can backpack a section of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) in a non-specialized group, women’s group, or LGBTQ+ group!
- Summer Mountaineering: Or, if you’re getting into peak-bagging. Rare Earth offers a single-day summit of Mt. St. Helens and a 2-night summit of Mt. Adams with an introduction to mountaineering.
Full Transparency
I received a buy-one, get-one tour for my friend and me in exchange for writing this blog pos about the moonlit snowshoe, and I wanted to speak about how that impacted my experience. While researching activities for my winter Columbia River Gorge weekend, I found the tour and was immediately drawn to the unique experience. Plus, I’ve never snowshoed and wanted to try it out. Upon researching the company, I appreciated that it is woman-owned and has incredible winter experiences, some of which are more educational. Going into the experience, I was excited by the unique tour, small group, and beginner-friendly atmosphere.
Regarding the experience, I believe you would have a similar experience as I did when booking with Rare Earth Adventures. There was no special treatment to any single person, and the tour would have gone exactly the same had we not been there. Connor was knowledgeable, considerate, and friendly. Since this is an outdoors-based tour, weather conditions and the people in your group would be the wild card factor and could change your experience.
(If you end up booking with Rare Earth Adventures due to this blog post, please let them know that I recommended them. Both them and I would deeply appreciate it.)
Overall Thoughts: Mt. Hood Moonlit Snowshoe Tour with Rare Earth Adventures
Between the views of Mt. Hood, snow-covered trees, stars above, and trying out snowshoeing for the first time in the dark, everything about the moonlit snowshoe tour was surreal and fantastic. As someone who goes to bed between 9 and 10 pm, it was wild to head out on an adventure at 4:30 pm. But seeing Mt. Hood in a new light and MARS was very cool. Definitely one of the more unique winter experiences I’ve had.
One of the things I cannot stop wondering about the Moonlit Snowshoe tour is: did snowshoeing in the dark help me not overthink snowshoeing? Or maybe it was simply the slow pace and compacted snow. Either way, I’m so glad I tried snowshoeing with Rare Earth Adventures. Other newbies should not be afraid to give it a go!
Just in case you’re curious about the other things I did during my weekend in the Columbia River Gorge, check out the following blog posts:
- Tips for Visiting the Columbia River Gorge in Winter
- Detailed Product Review: Adventure Wagon Modular Interior System for Campervan Conversions
- What I’m wearing the photos: Therm-a-Rest Honcho Ponchos (coming soon)
Where have you done a snowshoe tour or gone snowshoeing? Any particularly memorable ones? Pop a comment below, so I can check it out.
Happy Travels,
Hanna
