Oregon Hikers

Schrauf wrote: ↑

July 29th, 2020, 7:09 am

Since you're not used to altitude, a few points.

The 7k high point on the east side would rarely be high enough for one to get actual "altitude sickness", but you'll definitely feel out of breath and slower than normal, possibly even at 6k or 5k (which is much of the loop).

Assuming it's sunny, add 10 degrees to the actual temperature to determine the "feels like" temp, especially in regard to expected water consumption. Besides the stronger UV rays that feel hotter, it's also drier at altitude. On a related note, plan on more electrolytes than you normally need for a flatter 40-mile route at low elevation, due to both the altitude and constant up and down.

Given the 40 mile actual distance, but with the altitude and climbs you're not used to, I would plan on a time closer to a 50-mile effort, and when you're done it will feel more like having completed a 60-mile effort (compared to an easy route). If you begin the climb out of the Sandy River already bonked, it's a long trek back to Timberline (the climb is long and feels even longer, plus the last up and down into Zigzag Canyon).

pete7898 wrote: ↑

July 29th, 2020, 5:08 am

poppacouch wrote: ↑

July 28th, 2020, 4:42 pm

I did just this about 10 days ago. Happy to answer any specific questions you may have. We walked it and finished in 15:40.

Timberline Trail Loop in a day - July 17, 2020

Did it CCW as you planned. First 30 miles went quick and fairly-easy, but the final push from Sandy to Timberline Lodge is a (couple) rough climb(s) at the end of a long day. Someone suggested to me (and I agree in principle), that starting from Ramona Falls, and going CCW would be a VERY favorable route. Get all the hard stuff out of the way in the first half of the day and finish on a long, gentle decline back to Ramona. This requires a bit more logistics of camping at Ramona OR adding an extra 3.5 miles from Ramona TH.

You may consider adding trekking poles, especially for the climbs.

Found your well written, entertaining, and informative report yesterday! Thanks for sharing. I've always envied those who can articulate an adventure and feel bad that I can't do the same. I was very happy to hear keeping dry at the river crossings is doable, and that this route can be fast hiked in under 16 hours.

Since this is my first time, the traditional Timberline start/finish seemed fitting, but I'll look into starting at Ramona. I thought about getting poles, but I've never used them so I figured now isn't an ideal time to try and learn how.

Did you take the shortcut near bald mountain? I saw you had over 40 miles, but haven't seen any reports on how much longer the new Elliot trail is.

poppacouch wrote: ↑

July 29th, 2020, 11:50 am

pete7898 wrote: ↑

July 29th, 2020, 5:08 am

poppacouch wrote: ↑

July 28th, 2020, 4:42 pm

I did just this about 10 days ago. Happy to answer any specific questions you may have. We walked it and finished in 15:40.

Timberline Trail Loop in a day - July 17, 2020

Did it CCW as you planned. First 30 miles went quick and fairly-easy, but the final push from Sandy to Timberline Lodge is a (couple) rough climb(s) at the end of a long day. Someone suggested to me (and I agree in principle), that starting from Ramona Falls, and going CCW would be a VERY favorable route. Get all the hard stuff out of the way in the first half of the day and finish on a long, gentle decline back to Ramona. This requires a bit more logistics of camping at Ramona OR adding an extra 3.5 miles from Ramona TH.

You may consider adding trekking poles, especially for the climbs.

Found your well written, entertaining, and informative report yesterday! Thanks for sharing. I've always envied those who can articulate an adventure and feel bad that I can't do the same. I was very happy to hear keeping dry at the river crossings is doable, and that this route can be fast hiked in under 16 hours.

Since this is my first time, the traditional Timberline start/finish seemed fitting, but I'll look into starting at Ramona. I thought about getting poles, but I've never used them so I figured now isn't an ideal time to try and learn how.

Did you take the shortcut near bald mountain? I saw you had over 40 miles, but haven't seen any reports on how much longer the new Elliot trail is.

Yes, I did take the shortcut. Am I ashamed - NO . We were aiming to get back before 9pm and not really knowing how the last stretch would go, felt that cutting off an extra mile was reasonable. Though I've just read that the lower section around bald mountain is quite nice... maybe worth a visit. I'm planning to take family to visit McNeil Point this weekend, so probably will.

Do you have a good set of GPX tracks to follow (taking phone with GAIA?)? If it's your first time, there are plenty of trail intersections that could be confusing if not careful. Don't want to waste too much time heading the wrong way...

retired jerry wrote: ↑

July 29th, 2020, 12:25 pm

38.3 miles, 8500 feet elevation gain - gps a couple years ago including new Eliot crossing, upper crossing of Muddy Fork, using the Bald Mountain cutoff

if you don't do the cutoff but walk across Bald Mountain, that trail is narrow and hard to let people by going the other direction. covid or no covid

• Not sure what date you are planning to run, but count on it being busy on a weekday and BUSY on weekends/holidays. It will slow you down a little or a lot, depending on crowds. The likely spots to encounter boluses (boli?) of hikers and backpackers are around: Newton Creek, Cooper Spur, Cairn Basin to Bald Mountain, Ramona Falls, Paradise Park.

• Have an efficient mask solution. Oregon has a mask mandate for outdoor spaces where 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained, which is.... most of the Timberline. I use a buff, other efficient methods I've seen are a mask in the pocket that gets held over the nose and mouth while passing or a mask attached to a hat with one ear loop that can be pulled over the face quickly. (that latter one would drive me batty in the first mile, but seems to be popular)