If you are sightseeing or vacationing in the area, a stop at Trillium Lake is hands down the best view of Mt. Hood. It's also a great day-use lake for locals, with kayaking, canoeing, and fishing on the small lake. If you are looking for a Mt. Hood photo op on a clear day, I highly recommend Trillium Lake around mid to late morning when the sun will be behind you as you look across the lake to Mt. Hood to the north. One word of warning, though: On sunny summer weekends this place can get VERY crowded, with parking at a premium and long walks from your car to the lake.