Zigzag to Paradise July 2 - 7, 2014

[retired jerry]

Over holiday weekend I went up to Paradise from Zigzag Ridge.

Nearing high point above Paradise:

I went up Horseshoe Ridge Trail, camped on Zigzag ridge.

Went over East Zigzag - obligatory shot of Mt Hood with E Zigzag in foreground. I see Tom hasn't been up there to knock over artwork (is that joke getting old yet?):

I went along Zigzag trail to Paradise Park trail. Paradise Park trail at PCT:

Paradise Park trail and Paradise Loop trail:

Heading up the ridge. Mt Hood at rear. Mississippi Head at left:

At my high point - 7200 feet elevation. Mississippi Head from the side. It's actually out of view a little below me:

Just to the left. Easy snow slope going to above Mississippi Head. There's a straightforward route from there over to the ski area/PCT/Timberline Lodge (but be careful not to fall over Mississippi Head):

Then I went down the split rock ridge. It's a little tricky getting onto the right ridge. Some 45 degree snow slopes. No post holeing and no icy places - perfect conditions.

Looking up split rock ridge to my high point:

Back down by Split Rock:

My campsite at Paradise Park. Most of the campsites are just melted out. There were maybe 4 other groups camped on July 5:

I went back via PCT below Paradise Park. Several steep snow banks to cross, but perfect conditions:

Overview of area above Paradise Park. I put little red dots where my route was:

Then I had one day left - camped over near Ramona Falls. Maybe 100 cars in trailhead parking area:

Sandy Guard Station slowly rotting away:

[retired jerry]

Oh, map of route:

Maybe 45 miles or so.

And I ran into couple that identified me. She identified herself as a lurker Hi! Nice people are getting useful info from the site. Forgot to take selfie with them...

[xrp]

Holy cow! I was up on Paradise with my wife the night of July 5!

Based on your camp spot picture, I am now sure you were camped within 100 feet of my wife and me.

What time did you arrive and set up your camp?

[retired jerry]

I walked down from split rock at about 3 PM on July 4.

Walked back and forth about where you were?

Landed at my campsite at 3:30 PM

[rainrunner]

"... over the rivers and through the snow to cowboy camp I go." ~~ that's a lot of miles!
Thanks for the snow information at various spots.

[xrp]

We got to our campsite about 5:30pm.

We were approximately 500 feet due west of Split Rock.

You had to have been within 100 feet north or west of us.

[retired jerry]

I was 530 feet West, and 75 feet North of Split Rock.

I walked by 500 feet West of Split Rock at 8:20 AM. I believe I saw two people looking North as I walked by. Must have been you.

Now what I want is for the two lurkers I met on the PCT at the Muddy Fork to say hi

[kepPNW]

Went over East Zigzag - obligatory shot of Mt Hood with E Zigzag in foreground. I see Tom hasn't been up there to knock over artwork (is that joke getting old yet?):

He'd sub'd it out to me and, really, the job had been done, see!

• 
  May 30, 2014

Are you, perhaps, the one responsible for all this desecration, and is that why it's so darn funny?

Maybe 45 miles or so.

That's a lot of ground to cover! Had to really study the map, as I found that little spur over to West ZZ intriguing. Need to explore that direction someday. Is there still a lookout over there?

[retired jerry]

Now someone else can make some rock cairns? Or new age spiritual structures?

The spur to West Zigzag is just the Zigzag trail. Not a lot of traffic so it's a bit over-grown. I should spend a day there with a pair of lopers. There's a nice stream about 1/2 mile before West Zigzag. And a flat area to camp with a cliff looking North.

Used to be a lookout at West Zigzag. A few remnants left. Nice view down onto highway 26.

[justpeachy]

Nice! That remaining snow is going to melt fast with this hot weather.