Last weekend I joined a group of Mazamas for a 40+ mile "Round the Mountain" trek on the Timberline Trail. We circumnavigated Mt. Hood on three consecutive day hikes with overnights and meals at the Mazama Lodge near Government Camp.
Our large group was divided into three groups of 12 according to hiking abilities and each group included two Mazama hike leaders, one of which was a "sweep". The Mazamas rented three large passenger vans to shuttle us to/from the trailheads daily. On each of the three mornings (Sat-Sun-Mon), after enjoying a hearty breakfast at the Mazama Lodge, the groups headed out at 7:30am to one of the designated trailheads - Top Spur, Cloud Cap, or Timberline Lodge. After hiking that day's trail segments, each group had a van waiting that was left behind by another group earlier that day. The logistics of all this were well planned and executed flawlessly. After arriving back at the Mazama Lodge, we were treated to a wonderful dinner prepared by lodge keepers Clif and Dae Todd. After desert, each group presented a trip report covering their particular Timberline Trail segment for that day, and trail talk and camaraderie continued well into the evening in our comfortable surroundings. The lodge also provided fixin's each morning for our daily pack lunches. The organizers covered all the bases and the entire three-day event could not have been better!
On our first day of hiking (Saturday), we arrived at the Top Spur Trailhead (off Lolo Pass Road) in drizzle and fog.
Although it never really rained that hard, everyone suited up in their rain gear for the next two hours. We began by taking a side trip around Bald Mountain before setting off in a clockwise direction on the Timberline Trail toward Cloud Cap. As the skies began to clear, sunbeams lit up the residual fog under the tree canopy.
Shortly thereafter, we were treated to drop-dead views of Mt. Hood under mostly sunny skies, quite a weather contrast from earlier in the morning.
During the course of the day, we traversed the Cairn Basin and Elk Cove while enjoying in-your-face views of Hood's glaciers.
We had several major stream crossings including Ladd, Coe, and Elliot. All were relatively easy rock-hops for the most part with the low water levels this time of year.
We wrapped up day 1's hike at Cloud Cap after 15 miles and 4,200' cumulative elevation gain (according to a GPS that a hiker was carrying).
Day 2 began with a return shuttle to Cloud Cap where we resumed hiking in a clockwise direction toward Timberline Lodge. We had some nice views of Mounts Adams, Rainier, and St. Helens off over the Hood River Valley.
We passed near Cooper Spur and continued over Gnarl Ridge and through the Mt. Hood Meadows ski area, hiking out in the open and over snow patches along the way.
Ever wonder why they call it Gnarl Ridge? Check out those twisted trees.
Hey, ain't that Mt. Jefferson over there?
Our hike leader, Sherry, among a sea of fireweed.
Today once again, we had several major stream crossings in Newton, Clark, and White drainages. The White River crossing proved to be the most challenging on our around-the-mountain adventure where some chose to ford it and some chose to rock hop it.
We wrapped up day 2's hike at Timberline Lodge after a very long climb out of the White River Valley.
Total mileage for day 2 was 13 miles with 3775' of cumulative elevation gain.
Day 3 began with a return shuttle to Timberline Lodge where we resumed hiking in a clockwise direction toward Top Spur.
We paused for a moment of silence at the trailhead in remembrance of September 11th. Ironically, the morning sky was full of contrails. Although all three segments of this hike were very enjoyable, this final segment was probably the most spectacular.
After crossing the Zigzag River, we departed the PCT and headed up to Paradise Park. Unfortunately most of the spectacular wildflower displays from earlier in the summer were pretty much history, but the views were spectacular.
We then made the long descent to the Sandy River where we had yet another successful stream crossing before heading up to the cool shade of Ramona Falls.
From there we hiked through a very scenic forest area below Yocum Ridge before the long climb up to the Top Spur Trailhead where our adventure began three days prior.
Total distance for day 3 was 16 miles and 3010' cumulative elevation gain.
All in all, we hiked approximately 44-miles over the three days with a cumulative elevation gain of almost 11,000 ft. All three days were 9-10 hours on the trail for the fastest of the three groups, and the long hauls out of the glacial river valleys were butt-kickers. Elevation ranged between 3200' and 7500'. Overall trail conditions around Hood were excellent although the well-worn trail was very dusty in many, many areas. The Bluegrass Fire was a non-event although we did see and smell a little smoke briefly on day 2 while in the Cooper Spur area. All glacial river crossings were hop-able if you took time to look for a chain of rocks. Most wildflowers were well beyond their peak, but berries were plentiful.
About the only thing peaking, besides our spirits and camaraderie, were the ubiquitous mountain ashes which were loaded with reddish-orange fruit.
The Mazamas did an outstanding job in arranging this round-the-mountain event. Tom Davidson and Michelle Moore get two thumps up for the planning and organizing, as do Clif and Dae Todd at the Mazama Lodge. Take a bow, maestros Tom and Michelle.
Also, a big round of applause for our "A Team" hike leaders, Sherry and Cecille.
This year's "Round the Mountain" trek was so successful that it is going to become an annual Mazama event. I highly recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to do so next summer. To learn more about the Mazamas, here's a link to their web site:
http://www.mazamas.org/
More Timberline Trail photos can be found at the following links:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8QYsmbZu5cMUc
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8QYsmbZu5cMU-
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8QYsmbZu5cMV6
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