Pinnacle Ridge Trail #630

High-clearance vehicle recommended for Laurance Lake Road.

This trail is on the north side of Mt. Hood within Mount Hood Wilderness. The trail generally follows Pinnacle Ridge up the north side of Mt. Hood. The trail takes you up to the scenic Timberline area of Wy’east Basin and the Barrett Spur. On the upper part of the trail, alpine meadows are crossed and there are close views of Mt. Hood’s snowfields and spurs. Along the way there are open areas with expansive views to the north. This steep trail begins at the Pinnacle Ridge Trailhead on Forest Road 2840-670 (3,720') and ends at Timberline Trail #600 (5,760').

The trail is easy to follow and well maintained. The first half of the trail has moderate grades on good tread. The upper half of the trail is steeper, with a narrower tread. The trail crosses a couple of small streams as it heads up the ridge. Where the trees start to thin out in the upper portion, there is a wet meadow area to cross. The trail becomes faint here, but picks up again in the trees after the bog. The trail ends at its junction with Timberline Trail #600. To visit the Eden Park area, turn right on #600 and travel 0.3 mile to the junction with Eden Park Trail #600H. Follow #600H 1.6 miles through Eden Park to Timberline Trail #600. Turn left (east) and follow #600 1.3 miles back to the south end of this trail (#630). To visit Dollar Lake from the south end of this trail (#630), turn left (east) on #600 and travel 0.3 mile to the junction with Dollar Lake Trail #600C. Turn right (south) and travel 0.2 mile to Dollar Lake. To make an 8.7 mile loop, continue on Timberline Trail #600 0.7 mile to Elk Cove Trail #631. Turn left (north-northeast) on #631 and travel 4.6 miles to Laurance Lake Road (Forest Road 2840). Leave a car here or follow Forest Road 2840 approximately 2.5 miles (making the loop total 11.2 miles) back to the trailhead for this trail at Forest Road 2840.