Timberline Trail Re-Route at Eliot Branch Now Complete
Release Date: Sep 23, 2016
The Mt. Hood National Forest is pleased to announce the re-route of the Eliot Branch crossing on the Timberline Trail (#600) is complete and open to the public. Completed on September 14, this 1.5 mile re-route is downstream of the original ‘round the mountain’ trail, which washed out in 2006 following a debris flow. Hikers will now be able to circumnavigate Mt. Hood along the entire 41 mile route. The trail travels through alpine vistas, waterfalls, meadows and west side Cascade forest as it climbs in and out of glacial fed drainages throughout its length. More than half of the trail is located inside the Mt. Hood Wilderness and is managed to preserve natural processes, provide solitude and primitive recreation, and to retain the primeval character of wild lands. Wilderness permits are required from May 15 to Oct. 15 and group size is limited to 12.
The re-route is not fully signed yet and the Forest Service will be working with volunteers to do pre-winter maintenance this fall. Trail Keepers of Oregon, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Mt. Hood Wilderness Stewards and Mazamas supported the re-route project. Oregon Woods from Eugene, OR constructed the re-route under contract with the USFS.
Most hikers find the fast moving river fords to be the most challenging part of the trail. There is no bridge at the Eliot Branch Crossing and most glacial river crossings on the flanks of the Mt. Hood Wilderness do not have bridges so hikers should be familiar with safe river crossing practices and be willing to turn back if conditions appear unsafe.
For more information about Timberline Trail and the Eliot Branch re-route the public should visit the Mt. Hood NF website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=53506 . Visitors may also visit one of our Visitor Centers: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood/about-forest/offices.