After an enjoyable long hike to McNeil point, we wanted to try yet another one on Hood, without any detours that we did on McNeil. Zigzag overlook from Hidden lake seemed appropriate based on the field guide. A friend and a colleague joined me on this.
The field guide kind of rates both at the same difficulty level, but this one is real difficult relatively speaking.
The hidden lake is really hidden somewhere as we couldn't see the lake while going up or while coming down. Also, we had this entire trail upto PCT all for ourselves. There was not even a single soul in this entire trail in either direction.
It was steep in the last couple of miles before meeting with PCT, and the flies had a wonderful time occupying our heads/faces as we walked up slowly. In a way, we couldn't take any rest as we wanted to keep moving to escape from the flies.
It was a different story once we reached the Timberline Trail/PCT where we met with hundreds of people.
Hidden lake trail has no sceneries apart from the woods, and a slight peek at Hood at certain points in the last stretch. Couple of minor creek crossings were there, otherwise it's an uneventful hike but a good workout. This should be a good practice hike for some serious hikes.
Zigzag overlook and the canyon were awesome. Mt Jefferson also was there to see. Most of the people were going between Timberline and Paradise park.
We came back the same route. It was a good workout and we did it reasonably good time, spending about 45 mts at Zigzag overlook, having our lunch and enjoying the views.
Zigzag Canyon from Hidden lake -- 8/13/16
Zigzag Canyon from Hidden lake -- 8/13/16
- Attachments
Re: Zigzag Canyon from Hidden lake -- 8/13/16
The lake might have dried up. It's only 2 acres though it does list a 12' depth on the fs listing. It is very worth going to at one time of year... when the rhodies are blooming they line the trail from start to lake and surround the lake..
Re: Zigzag Canyon from Hidden lake -- 8/13/16
pdxgene wrote:The lake might have dried up. It's only 2 acres though it does list a 12' depth on the fs listing. It is very worth going to at one time of year... when the rhodies are blooming they line the trail from start to lake and surround the lake..
Good to know. My colleague had been talking about rhodies and weren't in bloom when we went, but I could guess how it would be during the bloom as we could see it the entire middle stretch of the trail.
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Re: Zigzag Canyon from Hidden lake -- 8/13/16
Was this affected by the downed trees that I've read about on other Zigzag hikes?
Re: Zigzag Canyon from Hidden lake -- 8/13/16
I hiked the Hidden Lake trail up to the PCT last summer and downed trees were minimal and presented only one minor obstacle to hiking. From my trip report of last September, 2018:
"The only serious deadfall I encountered was at the top of this steeper segment [about half a mile beyond the second creek crossing]. A tree has fallen directly in the line of the trail, obscuring the tread for more than 100 feet. My instinct was to bypass above it, which proved a bad strategy as I lost the trail entirely. I retraced and walked alongside and on top of the fallen tree. That worked. It was clear sailing after that."
This has not been a particularly windy winter so far, so this is most likely still the case. Then again, winter isn't over, yet.
"The only serious deadfall I encountered was at the top of this steeper segment [about half a mile beyond the second creek crossing]. A tree has fallen directly in the line of the trail, obscuring the tread for more than 100 feet. My instinct was to bypass above it, which proved a bad strategy as I lost the trail entirely. I retraced and walked alongside and on top of the fallen tree. That worked. It was clear sailing after that."
This has not been a particularly windy winter so far, so this is most likely still the case. Then again, winter isn't over, yet.
- OregonSurveyor
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Re: Zigzag Canyon from Hidden lake -- 8/13/16
The major blowdown that is in this vicinity and has garnered a good deal of attention is on the Paradise Park Trail, the westerly parallel sister trail to Hidden Lake Trail.
The trail has been partially cleared through the blowdown but about 1000’ of trail remain in utter devastation! The work around on the west side of the mess is slow, difficult and disorienting. PCTA hopes to have crews back on it this July.
The trail has been partially cleared through the blowdown but about 1000’ of trail remain in utter devastation! The work around on the west side of the mess is slow, difficult and disorienting. PCTA hopes to have crews back on it this July.
Jerry King
Oregon Land Surveyor (Retired)
SAR Volunteer - CSAR (Clackamas County Sheriff)
Oregon Land Surveyor (Retired)
SAR Volunteer - CSAR (Clackamas County Sheriff)