Timberline Trail #600

This  ~40-mile trail enters the Mount Hood Wilderness and circumnavigates Mt. Hood with vistas, waterfalls, alpine meadows and west side Cascade forests. It was constructed primarily by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and encircles Mt. Hood at or near tree line. The segment of trail between Timberline Lodge and Yocum Ridge overlaps the Pacific Crest Trail #2000.

This trail can be accessed from many different points. The trail climbs in and out of glacial fed drainages throughout its length. Most hikers find the fast moving river crossings to be the most challenging part of the trail. Newton, Coe, Muddy Fork, Sandy and White Rivers are typically the most challenging fords but are typically not more than knee deep.  Most backpackers take 3 or 4 days for the entire loop. 

View a printable Trail Description and Map (.pdf)

Crossing glacial streams and rivers safety info

Hood River Ranger District sections:

• Top Spur Junction east to Cloud Cap: This section is 11.3 miles long and follows along the north side of the mountain. It crosses numerous streams including Lad, Coe and Eliot. The snow on the north side of the mountain usually melts at later times than the more exposed southern side of the mountain. Along this section there are numerous places to camp in already established campsites like McNeil Point, Carin basin (stone shelter), and Elk Cove.
• Cloud Cap south to Newton creek at the Wilderness Boundary: This section is about 5.9 miles long and has one stream crossing at Newton Creek which can be challenging depending on weather conditions. Early in the season you may also may have to cross multiple snow fields that are on the higher elevations of this trail. It's important that you have good footing when crossing the snow fields. This section has just a few established campsites over toward Gnarl ridge and down on the other side of Newton Creek crossing.
• Newton Creek west to Pacific Crest Trail: This section is 5.6 miles long, and has two major stream crossings: Clark Creek and White River. No bridges are available at these crossings. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions these crossing can be very difficult. Generally the mornings are the best time to cross when the water flow is lower as opposed to the afternoon when day time temperatures rise and stream flows rise. Part of this section also goes through a ski area so you will pass by ski lifts.

Zigzag Ranger District sections:

The Timberline Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail are the same on the Zigzag Ranger District except for the section between Ramona Falls and Top Spur.

• Pacific Crest Trail west to Timberline Lodge
• Timberline lodge west to Paradise Park
• Paradise Park north to Ramona falls
• Ramona falls north to Top Spur: The crossing at the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River can be challenging. The river flow rate can vary dramatically due to rain, temperature, snowpack/season.  There's a substantial wash-out on the trail about 2 miles north of Ramona Falls. Despite trail crews clearing downed logs, there remains significant blowdown between Muddy Fork and Yocum Ridge. Consider bypassing this section of the Timberline Trail via the PCT from Ramona Falls to Top Spur.