Miles: 40+
Low Point/High Point: 2775ft/7350ft
Elevation Gain: 9000ft
Map: Nat Geo Mount Hood, Green Trails Government Camp, OR No 461 and Mount Hood, OR No 462, Caltopo
Favorite Eats After Hike: Charlie’s Mountain View and Crush Cider Café. You can learn more about these places in my Must Hike Must Eat Eating Out Guide.
Find out current conditions and as always, practice Leave No Trace. Pretty please.
Hike details:
The Timberline Trail (#600) is a scenic trail that circumnavigates Wy’East or Mount Hood in northern Oregon State. Roughly 40 miles around and using a section of the Pacific Crest Trail, it can be extended by camping in other loop trails that extend off the main trail along the route or by climbing up to rocky viewpoints.
Known for its many river and creek crossings can require fording before late summer or fall, the route is challenging. Self-issue wilderness permits are attained at trailheads and established campsites can be found abundantly. Views of popular mountains in Washington State and prominent Oregon summits like Seekseekqua (Jefferson) and the Sisters are seen as you navigate the ups and downs of moraines and river drainages. Wildflowers offer bursts of color in summer but expect little wildlife, maybe a marmot or chipmunk or two (most likely because dogs are permitted).
With its proximity to the metro area of Portland, no permit lottery and the recent explosion of outdoor adventurers, the Timberline Trail sees a lot of traffic even from places across the country. It is no surprise, it is full of gorgeous landscape and challenging terrain that would draw most any wilderness seeking backpacker.
If you would like more information, you can also read the write up I did for Washington Trails Association’s hike guide here.
Popular Campsites On The Timberline Trail, Clockwise From Timberline Lodge:
- Paradise Park Loop (5.7 miles, adds .1 mile)
- Eden Park Loop (17.6 miles, adds .7 miles)
- Elk Cove (19.9 miles)
- Cloud Cap Campground (25.2 miles)
- Tilly Jane Campground (25.7 miles, adds .5 miles)
- Cooper Spur Shelter (26.8 miles, adds .2 miles)
- Newton Creek (32.2 miles, 7.3 from lodge counterclockwise)
Self-Issuing Permit Locations On The Timberline Trail, Clockwise From Timberline Lodge
- Timberline (1 mile from lodge)
- Top Spur
- Cloud Cap
- Newton Creek
Other Short Trailhead Access Points On The Timberline Trail, Clockwise From Timberline Lodge
- Top Spur, FR 118
- Cloud Cap, FR 3512
- Mt Hood Meadows
Timberline Detour Route Options:
There is a section of trail between Ramona Falls and the ridge towards McNeil Point that repeatedly sustains significant damage, the latest being in the fall of 2020 on Yocum Ridge. Luckily, there are options for continuing on the Timberline Trail, two of which skip that section unless you want to do a lot of tree gymnastics!
How To Ford A River
Here is a great post on how to ford a river, and if you want to watch a video I recommend this one:
My trip report:
7/11-15/2021, 39.5 miles
Editor’s note: The Timberline Trail is often touted as an alternative to trails like the Wonderland around Tahoma (Mount Rainier) and there are some similarities such as the stunning scenery and crowds but without the permit lottery. The Wonderland is much more managed, campsites have toilets, bridges are often available on river crossings and the national parks service is doing its best to protect sensitive areas and teach park users about Leave No Trace principles. But just like the Wonderland, do not expect a true wilderness experience on the Timberline.
The Timberline has cell service available around most of the mountain, permits are not limited and with its many access points and proximity to the Portland area, the trail sees little Leave No Trace principles in practice causing damage to the trail and surrounding flora. Expect a lot of toilet paper and garbage, folks walking and camping in meadows and next to water sources or any flat surface, and trail runners cutting switchbacks. All of which is exacerbated by the recent limits put on the forest service staff and volunteers. That said, this is a great trail for those who want a social outdoor experience while staying connected to life back at home without having to worry about limited permits (at this point, anyway).
I enjoyed my hike just like I enjoyed the Wonderland Trail and I am glad I did it but after 7 years of anticipating this trail, I realized when I was done that it would probably be a one time deal (like the Wonderland or the Enchantments for that matter). I would never claim to be 100% on my Leave No Trace but if we don’t talk about it then no one learns. The truth is this trail is being loved to death.
I joined Greg Smith of Adventure Continues for a leisurely 4 night, 5 day trip around Wy’East as I had had the Timberline Trail on my list ever since hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail section in 2014. We started at the Timberline Lodge area, parking our cars in the overflow parking just as you reach the lodge area (Salmon River Lot, southeast corner). After a mid-morning buffet meal at the lodge for me, we were on the trail about 11:30am.
Day 1: Timberline Lodge to Paradise Park: 5.7 miles, plus .1 mile on Silcox Hut Access Road from Salmon River overflow parking lot (5900ft) to meet PCT.
This forested section was filled with day hikers and crosses snowfields populated with snowboarders enjoying what was left of winter under the summer sun as we made our way along the PCT a little over a mile towards the boundary for the Mt. Hood Wilderness area where we filled out our self-issuing permit for our trip (1 mile and 5960ft).
We began to drop to a viewpoint of ZigZag Canyon (5470ft) and continued our descent to cross the mild ZigZag River (4800ft) on a well placed log. I was pleased as I remember this being a more aggressive crossing in 2014!
The Timberline Trail rose from here to meet the first Paradise Park Trail (#757) junction 4 miles into our trek (5030ft) and we turned to head up in search of campsites for the night. The climb was a bit steeper and the black flies were out but thankfully it was short and the wildflowers were a colorful distraction.
Passing campers near Lost Creek, we continued on to a rocky junction next to a stream with views both of Wy’East and north at the Columbia Gorge area 1.7 miles from the junction at 5740ft in elevation. The subalpine trees were a bit shrubby for hanging my hammock but after assessing the area along the ridge and a failed attempt to use a large boulder, I find an acceptable spot and we settled in for the evening about 4pm. Greg had a friend joining us (with another friend) but they had plans to do the loop in only 3 nights so our time together would be short.
Greg’s friends arrived around 6:30pm after some misdirection over the phone and the evening was spent eating dinner, talking politics and watching the sun drop from the sky. We could spot the Columbia and Bonneville Dam off in the distance. Waking up in the middle of the night, we were graced with the beauty of the Milky Way glowing above us.
Day 2: Paradise Park to McGee Creek: 11.3 miles (includes reroute on PCT due to landslides on Yocum Ridge from Ramona Falls)
After breakfast and a rosy sunrise, we were hiking the rest of the Paradise Park Loop back down to meet the PCT, arriving at the junction around 7:15am (6.6 miles and 5440ft). We passed a few tents on the way but not all the sites were taken. It seemed as though the loop could potentially hold quite a few folks on a busy weekend.
From the junction, the Timberline Trail began its descent down to the Sandy River Canyon viewpoint (7 miles and 5210ft). We had a great view of the cascading water as it dropped through the drainage below Wy’East and I wondered just how deep the ford would be when we arrived there. Our first taste of downed trees was at the campsites located just before the trail breaks out into the river drainage, a huge pile up took a few minutes to navigate before we left the forest.
There were groups of hikers camped in the sand at the river’s edge (9.5 miles and 3350ft elevation), packing up and getting ready to ford as we were. After a few minutes of assessing the best spot to cross (with a little help from some cairns), we were switching footwear and taking our turns at crossing. For me at 5’5″, the water was about knee height and not much trouble with the support of poles to gauge the depth for footing. Lessons learned by one of our party: if you are going to throw your boots to the other side, do it with intention so as to not bounce back into the river.
It was less than half mile before we met the Ramona Falls junction and turned right. There were a handful of campsites here and camping is not allowed at the popular falls themselves. We took a short break below the shimmery veil of water spilling over stepped black basalt (10.4 miles and 3450ft) and said our goodbyes to Greg’s friends for they would be on a faster pace from here.
Greg and I continued along the Ramona Creek Trail, first along a magical, moss covered stream, then aside cliff walls of pink and sandy andesite. There were a few small log bridges over the creek and nice spots to stop for a snack to listen to the water gurgle by. The final stretch was a more open area where it was evident that there had been piles of blowdown. We were lucky that it had been recently cleared!
The forested junction with the PCT was met and we turned right (12.2 miles and 2830ft). There were a few campsites here amongst the trees and in a short distance we were at the Muddy Fork which had two large downed trees laying perpendicular for the perfect crossing. On the other side the trail was chocked with berry bramble and we stopped at a pair of campsites just into the forest and Greg chatted with the father son duo across the trail from us catching a quick rest. They shared water with Greg from a stream close to the campsites that eventually runs into the Muddy River.
From here it was a hot, buggy slog in the trees to the junction with the Top Spur Trailhead (14.5 miles and 4300ft). There were a few meager streams across the trail but it was good we had stocked up before the climb so we did not have to stop much or the bugs would set upon us! I arrived a the 4 way junction a few minutes before Greg and applied more bug spray and added my bug net. There was a small campsite here next to the trail and a box for self-issue permits with the trailhead being about half mile away (other hikers reported water about .2 miles down from the junction).
Looking at the trail that heads around the north side of Bald Mountain (marked as Timberline Trail Cairn Basin), it seemed pretty clear not to take that route! There were a few signs about the closure and reroute posted on the permit kiosk and a tree.
By 1:30pm Greg had arrived, drank some water, and we were following the Timberline Trail (marked for the Muddy Fork) around the south side of Bald Mountain towards a cutoff trail .7 miles away. This section was actually one of the best we traveled on the loop, with views of Wy’East, the Muddy Fork drainage and the devastation on the side of Yocum Ridge that wiped out the trail. It was clear how hard that would be to take at this point and I was glad we enough information to take the reroute.
The Cutoff Trail was well marked and we turned up briefly to make our way over the ridge and down onto the other side to join the Timberline Trail towards McNeil Point and Cairn Basin. There were a few trees down here and a boot path but it as easy to find.
The first part of our ridge walk here was easy until about the McGee Creek Trail (#627) and then it was an obstacle course of downed trees with multiple social trails around them as this is a popular day hike, as well as an entry point to the meadowed sections of the Timberline Trail on the north side of the mountain. We leapfrogged with backpackers and passed smiling day hikers happy to be heading back down to the their cars.
This section offered more of the same views we saw from the south side of Bald Mountain with several crowd worn viewpoints. The trail was dry here, though, and I was glad I still had enough water. The bear grass was past its prime but the slopes were still a verdant green. I could see McNeil Point up on the left of Wy’East and wondered if the shelter as visible with binoculars (which I did not have).
At about 16.9 miles and 5320ft, I passed the unmarked scramble route to McNeil Point (visible on Caltopo, though) and arrived at a snowmelt stream flowing over the trail (5380ft) busy with backpackers filling their filters and pack bladders. The area must see frequent traffic as the tread was tore up and the vegetation around the stream and trail was trampled or simply worn away.
I found a spot to set my pack without blocking the trail and gathered some water of my own. I admired some meadow flowers down from the trail as I waited a short time for Greg to arrive. We could hear others around us discussing the 1-3 miles or so they had left to get to that evening’s destination they were striving for. It was already 4pm and I did not envy their shorter itinerary!
Just past this stream we crossed McGee Creek and came upon a wonderful campsite just up to the right before a meadow (17 miles and 5450ft). The meadow had a few sites tucked back behind some scrappy trees but my hammock was a perfect hang where we stopped instead. It also had a great location for using the “facilities” down away from camp and water (although that didn’t seem to encourage those who left garbage and waste behind close to camp and McGee).
By 5pm I was lounging in my hammock and watching backpackers walk past on their way to camps further on. The traffic flowed through dinner, including our friends who were supposed to be ahead of us but lost a few hours because they didn’t take the detour and turned right at Ramona Falls over Yocum Ridge! They appeared frustrated enough to not even stop, barely smiling as they continued on. The rest of the evening was mellow, other than being woken up close to midnight as a couple who had a late start from Timberline stumbled in close to our camp talking and shining their headlamps about before making their way down to a campsite by the meadow.
Day 3: McGee Creek to Tilly Jane Campground: 8.7 miles, uses Tilly Jane Trail #600A
I was watching the sunrise at 6am, a pink glow coming up through the trees. Today had the promise of challenging river crossings and an exposed burn section as we would make our way along the north side of the mountain. We hadn’t decided on an exact destination for camp tonight, it would depend on how we felt after crossing the Eliot.
We had a leisurely breakfast, breaking camp and heading up towards Cairn Basin around 7:45am. The couple from last night and two other hikers Greg had talked to the night before from Michigan were still in bed as we crossed the meadow and took a short switchback up to the McNeil tarn area that still had a few patches of snow (5520ft). Greg said there were a few campsites tucked back in the trees but we didn’t see any tents. There was a sign that reminded folks to not camp in the meadow, probably because there was clear evidence people were.
The next half hour we passed the junction with the Mazama Trail and McNeil Point with more signs about meadow restoration. The trail was worn and braided with a few weary streams to cross. Our first ford was Glisan Creek (5690ft), a branch of Ladd Creek, which might have been a tricky rock hop but we decided our feet wouldn’t mind the cold water and why accidently get our shoes wet this early in the morning? I kept mine on after the initial crossing as I had heard it might be branched but the stream right after had a log and rock making it an easy crossing. Snow still clung to the banks of Glisan, a sign that we were on the north side where we had heard snow still lingered.
From here, we entered the burn area of the Dollar Fire of 2011, green understory and meadow with silver snags jutting up towards the blue sky. There was a meadow soon on the left where we spied a large group camping, even though five minutes later we were passing the junction for Eden Park and arriving at the Cairn Shelter with a handful of established campsites on durable surfaces available in the trees (17.6 miles and 5670ft).
There were quite a few trees down here, some landing next to the rock shelter which surprisingly had not sustained any damage to the interior. We stopped for a snack and water break just after here before the trail began to climb. The two hikers from Michigan passed us and we soon passed two from the party back at the meadow as they waited for their friends.
Our next crossing was Ladd Creek which was not wide or fast flowing but knee deep (5650ft) . We forded without much effort and the late arriving couple from McGee crossed shortly behind us. The challenge to Ladd and others is that the water is silty, making it hard to gauge depth. I was glad to have poles to help with this! The water is also hard on filters due to the glacial particles that cause the opaque quality of the creeks and rivers.
The trail continued to follow the contour here with the occasional snow field to traverse. At this point, most were at an easy angle so even kicking steps in was not necessary. The views opened up towards the Columbia River and we could see My St Helens off in the distance. The sun shined brightly on Wy’East, we were lucky that the smoke burning further down by Jefferson had not reached us. The patches of forest scarred by the Dollar Fire alternated with spared pines. About 9:30am, before reaching the junction with Vista Ridge, we came to a viewpoint (5900ft) and Greg took time to call and talk with his wife while I took in the views.
For the next 1.5 miles it was a rather level ramble over, passing the junction for Pinnacle Ridge and until we reached the Elk Cove area (19.9 miles and 5470ft). The mountain view was much more volcanic on this side with grey, loose slopes and bear grass in bloom along the trail.
Grassy meadows presented well worn, mucky and lackluster but the avalanche lilies and paintbrush were doing their best to pop up from the recently melted snow. There were a few streams of water crossing the trail from snowfields up the slope and random snow bridges persisted in gullies at steeper angles. I noticed a few campsites at the crossing of Elk Cove Creek and some above the trail before the junction with its namesake trail.
Our next fun water crossing was Coe Branch (5140ft) which had two separate flows cascading over a series of boulders before it spilled over into a waterfall. This one was particularly murky and fast moving. Greg found a tack he thought was reasonable to ford but I found another further up I felt more comfortable with.
I was glad as his did end up looking a bit more testing. There was a log spanning the second, also, but it was wet and a no-go for me. We saw others crossing even further up and half being about half way around at this point and that many crossings under our belt, it was clear there was no one-size-fits-all. I was feeling more confident in my fording but still the Eliot was playing out in my imagination. Greg had interviewed several backpackers we had passed as they went counterclockwise and it did not sound like a fun one.
After Coe we climbed a set of steep switchbacks in the afternoon sun and a couple of trail runners passed us cutting corners. Not being a trail runner myself, it was hard to imagine picking a trail with so many water crossings but maybe that is part of the allure.
Our trek was also energized by downed trees perpendicular to the trail on steep slope that made for a choice of backpack limbo or saddling over. The outslope was loose and dusty with logs polished smooth with the risky of slipping. So much so that with one I chose to snake under a tree rather then end up with splinters and 10 feet down from the trail. There was also the steepest snow field across the trail but it was possible to use rocks just below to go around and then cut up the snow to the bare trail.
There were a few narrow flows of Compass Branch to cross with residual snow bridges with campsites interspersed in the trees below the trail before we arrived at a faster moving main Compass Branch (1:30pm and 5880ft). This is was the first of crossings where one (or both) of the banks was severely eroded and it was difficult to tell where the trail took up on the other side. The guys from Michigan were here filtering water and we stopped to do the same before fording.
From here, the trail continued around the contour until we came out on a ridge above Eliot Creek at 23.9 miles and 6000ft. We could see down into the sandy canyon and Cloud Cap Resort perched high up on the following ridge.
We had joked earlier in our trip about maybe staying there but I was sure it was expensive and booked up. Greg pointed out the old “new” trail that was built up stream in the last few years but unfortunately was washed away last year. Trails can be fickle things, especially around water sources.
This was it, we were at the crux in our trip. The crossing everyone had been talking about! Of course, we still had to drop over 500ft in elevation to get there. Way to build up suspense…
The trail cut switchbacks on the west side of the ridge, dropping us down and curving around to the east side before spitting us out at a ledge about 75 feet above the Eliot canyon. It was not clear at first how to get down to the water level as it was all loose scree and boulders. Any given footstep could dislodge a rock big enough to break an ankle or simply drag you down with it. After wandering around a bit and with help from fellow hikers on the other side of the water, I eventually found a long switchback through the debris while Greg took a more direct route.
A little before 3pm we were at the water’s edge assessing the Eliot. The hikers on the other side pointed to where they had forded across, a chocolate tinged level area below a churning waterfall. Michigan arrived just behind us and it was the four of us against nature. All I could do was look at the folks on the other side and pep talk myself that if they could do, so could I.
Greg went first and I was relieved that it was not deep the entire width, just a short section in the middle. I was, however, dismayed how high the water came up on Greg since he was much taller than I. He chose to just keep his boots on because his water crossing shoes are Crocs and there was no way they would stay on with the turbulence. I was glad I had my Luna sandals which strap on much tighter than the Xero Shoes I just to bring (and that busted when I crossed the Sandy in 2014).
I have to say it took a few attempts to cross and I allowed one of the Michigan guys to cross before me as I warmed up a bit (the water was frigid!). I had waded out, got nervous, Greg tried to help by pointing and I found myself back at ground zero. It was on my third venture in that I committed and had to put all my strength into staying upright as the water surged up to my waist. That whole advice about facing upstream and creating a triangle with poles if you can paid off and I was soon on the other side! That was the sketchiest water crossing I had ever down and probably hope to.
We sat in the warm sun on the other side as the second Michigan guy made his way across and chatted about food and where we might end up for the night. Michigan had plane tickets for Thursday so they had to press on to at least Copper Spur so this would probably be our last leapfrog.
After Eliot, the trail climbs hot and exposed until it levels out at the Cloud Cap primitive campground complete with picnic tables, running water and privy (25.2 miles and 5850ft). There were cars in the parking lot, most likely day hikers, and several groups seated and going over maps. One was a large 3 generational family we had been leapfrogging with since day 2, they also had a three night itinerary and needed to press on.
Greg and I debated our stay for the night. It was just short of 4pm and there was no real need to go further than here or Tilly Jane primitive campground, especially since Greg had Newton Creek planned for our fourth night. Cloud Cap was okay but it seemed busy, close to the road and the water source was a spigot. The trees were pretty large and far apart for hammocking. I had visited Tilly Jane as a snowshoe and thought it more quaint and remote. As for adding to our trip, it would be .5 miles on #600A to Tilly Jane and then 1.1 miles up to the junction with Cooper Spur (an overall mileage difference of only .4 miles). Greg was up for it so we set out for Tilly Jane.
This campground definitely felt more remote (deserted) and it did not appear it had seen much upkeep in while. There were trees down and someone was making a few into shingles. The ranger station was not manned but the privy had toilet paper. And Tilly Jane Creek was just a short walk away. We had it to ourselves except for one car camping couple that pitched their tent over on the amphitheater side and what sounded like a drone briefly buzzing overhead. The trees were great for my hammock and it was nice to eat dinner at a table. And not have to dig a cathole. We were soon relaxing the evening away with an even shorter day ahead of us tomorrow.
Day 4: Tilly Jane Campground to Newton Creek: 6.2 miles
Wahoo, day 4! We were leaving the campground to meet up with the Tilly Jane Trail which drops down past the ranger station to the creek where we filled up on water for this morning’s hike over the most exposed section of the trail. Having traveled from the campground to the junction with Cooper Spur before I knew it would be steep but there would be a good source of water before Gnarl Ridge so I just stuck with the two bottles I had filled the night before.
Quickly passing the amphitheater and car campers, we turned up close to the ski hut and headed for the Timberline Trail. Both the air and our bodies warmed up as we gained 900ft in elevation in about a mile. It was interesting to see how the trail runs fairly close to the ridge here with views down into the Polallie Creek drainage.
We reached the junction around 9am and took a short break (26.8 miles and 6630ft). I ran up to the shelter at Cooper Spur to grab a picture with a view of Wy’East as my first trip we were socked in. There were about 3 places where folks had built walls for a campsite, one using a large boulder.
From here, the trail follows the contour up and around the mountain’s ridges with tall cairns and posts to mark the way. The weather worn wood of the markers reminded me how hard this trip would be in rough conditions and how the cairns could be lifesavers.
I arrived at the highpoint at 10am (28.1 miles and 7340ft) and we stopped again to take in the surroundings and drink more water. There was a small knoll that I rock hopped up to that offered 360 views, it was possible to see Tahoma, Loowit, Pahto to the north. It looked like more than a few folks have made this a campsite but it would be very exposed in inclement weather. Just one hiker came by counterclockwise hailing from North Carolina and aspiring to hike the Triple Crown in the near future.
A few more cairns, campsites and snowfields later, we crossed a good stream and more campsites nestled down from the trail in the shrubby subalpine trees (28.8 mile and 6940ft) before coming out at the saddle of Gnarl Ridge.
This was the most rugged and otherworldly view of Wy’East on the Timberline Trail, with waterfalls and varying colors of slides. The mountain also seemed to be retaining the most glacial remnants here.
Just up from the saddle as we began our trek along the ridge, we made another stop to take pictures and snack (28.9 miles and 6930ft). Ah, the beauty of a short mileage day. We had views of Seekseekqua and South Sister off on the horizon and contemplated what it would be like to have to climb the loose sides of the Newton Creek drainage we saw in front of us.
From here, it was a slow descent along the ridge to another saddle where the trail dropped down to the left to negotiate around Lamberson Butte, a quite scraggily looking side scramble. There were more than a handful of places on the ridge where tents have been pitched in the cover of scrappy pines but based on the condition of said pines, would offer little protection in the wind or rain.
We passed the collapsed shell of the Gnarl shelter and into the forest again. There continued to be level places in the trees where people have camped and the occasional meadow getting ready to bloom with color. At 30.9 miles and 5680ft, we passed the junction with the Gnarl Ridge Trail and turned right. There was a couple with a dog who asked about conditions and we shared about the exposed ridge and river crossings and they opted to turn back and find another trek for the day since their dog had already stopped twice.
The boulder strewn terrain of the Newton Creek drainage presented itself at 12:45pm and we prepared for another water ford in order to reach our camp destination on the other side (31.7 miles and 5410ft). There were more than a few cairns where others had crossed and we opted for a surprisingly shallow crossing close to where we could see the trail on the other side. In order to reach the Timberline Trail, though, we did have to take a route to the right and then cross back over loose soil to connect.
The campsites above Newton Creek were empty save for a backpacker stopping for lunch before finishing at Timberline so we made our way towards the right to the last one (31.8 miles and 5440ft). It was nice because it was off the Timberline Trail and offered a view of Newton for evening entertainment but not ideal because it butted up against the stream that flows between the campsites and the trail (hard to do anything 200ft away from a water source). At this point, however, I had become discouraged with the lack of Leave No Trace principles being followed on the trail in general since I seemed to be the only one concerned and I decided it was not a hill to die on. I didn’t take a picture of the garbage tucked under the boulders at this site, like a full Mountain House meal and chew can…
It was early so the afternoon was spent swaying in the hammock, watching other folks figure out how to ford or cross Newton, including a couple with two dogs who did not look enthused to be carried over the rushing water. We were able to help out a few others, though, who were grateful to find a more shallow location than they were anticipating. There were a few other good sized groups who camped in sites along the creek but we had our little section to ourselves.
Day 5: Newton Creek to Timberline Lodge: 7.7 miles, includes .1 mile to drop down from PCT to parking lot
Our final day, we were pushing out of camp early at 7am. The weather was gratefully cooler today as we climbed up from the creek and intersected with the Newton Creek/Heather Meadows Campground Trail junction (#646) up from Mount Hood Meadows (32.2 miles and 5590ft). There was a wilderness permit kiosk here that reminded me we were leaving the wilderness area and entering the section of the Timberline Trail that runs under the ski lifts.
Less than a mile later we came around a turn in the trail and could see down into the Clark Creek drainage and we soon dropped down to a crossing of Clark Creek. Greg was able to rock hop (long legs) but I opted to ford because I really wanted to have dry shoes for the sand dune climb I knew was coming at the end of our trek to the parking lot.
The Timberline Trail passed by and over a series of waterfalls with the one over Meadow Creek requiring a rock hop. We passed a few more trail runners here.
There were campsites tucked into the trees that alternated with meadow beneath the ski lifts (34.3 miles and 5870ft). It was fun to imagine the slopes covered with snow and skiers swishing down. A half mile later we took a break in the forest down from the trail that had a campsite with fire ring that made a good spot to use the “facilities” without being too exposed. Less than a tenth of a mile later, Greg filled up water in a good stream in preparation for our climb to the lodge.
After passing through a few more meadows and the muddiest section of the Timberline Trail, we crossed back into wilderness (Richard L. Kohnstamm) and could see the drainage of White River through the trees (36.9 miles and 5290ft). Our last real water crossing! The trail down was deeply eroded and it was a short distance on a sandy trail lined with rocks to the first of two crossings.
It was easy to spy a rock hop of the first and we were quickly across. The second was a bit more challenging as the banks were steep but thankfully not tall (37.6 miles and 4940ft). It was about a six foot drop to the water’s edge, a scoot along the bank, and then a rock hop across. The trickiest part, though, was climbing back up the other side that was steep and loose without foot steps to follow.
Greg rested a bit on the other side and I began the long haul up the literal sand dune of a trail to meet the PCT junction (38.2 miles and 5320ft). I passed the only sign regarding how to ford water I saw the entire trip and it was mutilated and facing the other direction.
This part of the Timberline Trail drained the soul but did offer views into the expansive White River drainage and I knew I was that much closer to clean clothes and the treats I had left in my car.
Leaving the wilderness boundary again (38.9 miles and 5980ft), I could see the Timberline Lodge across the way before descending and ascending one more swale. Soon there was a boot path down to the parking lot and I was once again on pavement and back to my car (39.5 miles and 5900ft). I had finished the Timberline Trail!
Directions: Most hikers start from Timberline Lodge at 27500 E Timberline Road, Government Camp, OR 97028. From Portland, take I-84 to US 26. From Hood River, US 35 to US 26. From Salem, take I-5 to I-205 to OR-212/224 to US 26.
The forest service has the latest information here.
Thank you so much for stopping by Must Hike Must Eat!
If you need some healthy eating inspiration start here:..
Need some eating out suggestions when friends want to stop after a hike? I have a Pacific Northwest Eating Guide here.
Find out what’s been happening outside the blog:
If you have a question you don’t want to post in the comments, you can ask them here: