Barrett Spur -- 07/10/21
Posted: July 11th, 2021, 1:51 pm
HI Folks,
Anticipating a bit of a drive from Hillsboro to the Vista Ridge TH, and a hot day, my alarm went off at 3:30. In a fit of laziness, my feet didn't hit the floor until 4:30. Nearing the trailhead at a bit past 7:30.
Not too busy at the the TH (half dozen or so cars). I cleared a few smallish trees on the way up. There are a fair number of trees across the trail, but all are easily gone over or around. Vista Ridge is the quickest hiking route into the Barett Spur area at ~2.5 miles and 1400 or so gain to the Timberline Trail; the down side this time of year being not a lot of shade.
It was nice to see sizeable snow banks still on the mountain somewhere. They seemed to have chosen the trail as their place of residence, but were easily gone over or around.
After a quick trip up to the Timberline Trail, starting the Barrett Spur climb. Trail is on the left margin of the snow.
Past the lower slopes and the mid-climb scrubby trees and headed for a nice viewpoint beneath the upper spur.
Nearing the base of the upper spur. Nice views from this area and family/pet friendly to this point.
Pausing for a scenery break while I contemplate the route ahead. About this time I started hearing rocks falling from the upper reaches of the mountain onto the snow below
View from the first summit to the second. Route finding was not an issue and while the route was a steeper (made good use of my hiking poles and hands) the rocks were reasonably stable. View from the first summit toward the second.
Nearing the second summit. Route finding more straight forward than it looks
Immediately below the second summit. This appeared to be the most commonly used way forward. This section is perhaps 20 feet long. The rock is solid, but there is a healthy sense of exposure.
From the second summit you can see my destination at the point of the green patch, center of the frame. A little more care needed here.
This is where I stopped and stayed for 30 minutes or so soaking in the awesome sight. I was able to watch and hear rocks falling every few seconds. Bottom-left you will see that the spur continues another couple of hundred yards. It's hard to tell from the photo, but from my vantage point out there would require traversing a narrow, steep-sided ridge of unconsolidated sand and rock. Probably an interesting view to the glacier below, but didn't line up with my not-in-my-twenties risk profile.
Descending toward Dollar Lake and taking a break in a small shady area.
Dollar Lake. The water was cold and felt amazing on my tired feet. The fire ring seemed to have seen recent use.
Before heading back to the car I took a side trip over to Elk Cove. Damage from the Labor Day storm? The worst of it was very localized. Not too many trees down between Elk Cove and Vista Ridge.
All in all, I'd say this is one of the more interesting hikes on Mt. Hood. Whether you travel as far as the base of the upper spur, or continue up, there's something for everyone.
Happy Hiking,
Rob
Anticipating a bit of a drive from Hillsboro to the Vista Ridge TH, and a hot day, my alarm went off at 3:30. In a fit of laziness, my feet didn't hit the floor until 4:30. Nearing the trailhead at a bit past 7:30.
Not too busy at the the TH (half dozen or so cars). I cleared a few smallish trees on the way up. There are a fair number of trees across the trail, but all are easily gone over or around. Vista Ridge is the quickest hiking route into the Barett Spur area at ~2.5 miles and 1400 or so gain to the Timberline Trail; the down side this time of year being not a lot of shade.
It was nice to see sizeable snow banks still on the mountain somewhere. They seemed to have chosen the trail as their place of residence, but were easily gone over or around.
After a quick trip up to the Timberline Trail, starting the Barrett Spur climb. Trail is on the left margin of the snow.
Past the lower slopes and the mid-climb scrubby trees and headed for a nice viewpoint beneath the upper spur.
Nearing the base of the upper spur. Nice views from this area and family/pet friendly to this point.
Pausing for a scenery break while I contemplate the route ahead. About this time I started hearing rocks falling from the upper reaches of the mountain onto the snow below
View from the first summit to the second. Route finding was not an issue and while the route was a steeper (made good use of my hiking poles and hands) the rocks were reasonably stable. View from the first summit toward the second.
Nearing the second summit. Route finding more straight forward than it looks
Immediately below the second summit. This appeared to be the most commonly used way forward. This section is perhaps 20 feet long. The rock is solid, but there is a healthy sense of exposure.
From the second summit you can see my destination at the point of the green patch, center of the frame. A little more care needed here.
This is where I stopped and stayed for 30 minutes or so soaking in the awesome sight. I was able to watch and hear rocks falling every few seconds. Bottom-left you will see that the spur continues another couple of hundred yards. It's hard to tell from the photo, but from my vantage point out there would require traversing a narrow, steep-sided ridge of unconsolidated sand and rock. Probably an interesting view to the glacier below, but didn't line up with my not-in-my-twenties risk profile.
Descending toward Dollar Lake and taking a break in a small shady area.
Dollar Lake. The water was cold and felt amazing on my tired feet. The fire ring seemed to have seen recent use.
Before heading back to the car I took a side trip over to Elk Cove. Damage from the Labor Day storm? The worst of it was very localized. Not too many trees down between Elk Cove and Vista Ridge.
All in all, I'd say this is one of the more interesting hikes on Mt. Hood. Whether you travel as far as the base of the upper spur, or continue up, there's something for everyone.
Happy Hiking,
Rob