Mt Hood loop Aug 26 - Sept 1, 2022

[retired jerry]

I did the loop. A couple comments.

Between Cloud Cap and Elk Cove I saw about 50 people per day. Going above Mt Hood Meadows to Cloud Cap I saw maybe 15 people per day.

I am less adventurous when it comes to crossing streams. I did not walk across that log across the Muddy Fork. I just walked through Eliot, Coe, and the Muddy Fork, otherwise I found rocks and logs to cross without getting my feet wet. Take socks and inner off, walk through, squeeze as much water out as possible, put socks and inners back on, that night I'll switch to the other (dry) pair of socks.

Very little forest fire smoke, although my last morning was a little bad.

[retired jerry]

Crossing Eliot, I was looking at Eliot upstream:

20220827_095913.jpg (40.14 KiB) Viewed 1827 times

I think someone else mentioned this.

Eliot goes over bedrock there, just above the waterfall. That would be stable over time - it doesn't all get washed out each year.

There's a short distance to Elio from the forest on each side. Maybe that would be a better place for a crossing. You could connect to the new trail on each side.

[texasbb]

I did my first (full) Timberline circuit Aug 22-25. We went CCW from Cloud Cap. It was hot, but the air was clear. Didn't quite see 50 people per day, but a lot. I was able to make the whole trip with dry feet (long legs help).

Edit: Here's that upstream bedrock from a higher perspective:

A better place to cross? Maybe, but I wouldn't want to get swept over that.

[retired jerry]

hmmm... your photo didn't open but I could see it directly

http://texasbb.net/files/Timberline-w-T ... op.med.JPG

yeah, better picture. Hard to tell what it's really like there. Yeah, you wouldn't want to fall over the falls.

[texasbb]

It does look like the solid rock could make the west wall an easier climb.

[retired jerry]

you can see that better in your photo

easy climb up the west side, and then not too far to that new trail

on the east side maybe more difficult out of the loose area, and then further from any trail

maybe some day I'll try to get closer

[keithcomess]

Jerry,

A previous post re: the Eliot Creek crossing by another forum member indicated that the cliffs on both sides are now mostly unstable sand and loose boulders with perhaps no log remaining to cross the Creek. That's about how I remember it from 2 prior crossings, last a couple of years ago but that report made it seem a worse.

Did I read your posting correctly that there is a stable series of large boulders now accessible for crossing? How about the downhill and uphill approach sections?

Encountering 50 people/day on segments of the trail is one factor that damped my enthusiasm for another circuit of Mt Hood. Impact on the area and mess left by some inconsiderate campers is discouraging.

Thanks for the report,
Keith

[retired jerry]

yeah, 50 people a day were a lot, but everyone was friendly. I camped near Elk Cove and a couple people came along and camped right next to me, but that's summer. I could have found a spot further away from trail.

The actual crossing of Eliot is relatively easy - hop between two large rocks. I saw many people do it without problem. I just didn't feel like landing on the second rock, finding it slippery, and falling, but that was probably unnecessary fear

Getting down to Eliot is about the same as previous years. The west side in particular is difficult - 2 steps up and 2 steps down at places. But, it didn't feel dangerous - no cliffs or anything. There's a rope although I wouldn't want to rely on it with a bunch of weight.

Three Sisters is probably an easier loop, if you can get a permit

[texasbb]

Did I read your posting correctly that there is a stable series of large boulders now accessible for crossing? How about the downhill and uphill approach sections?

This is looking back at where I crossed. Easy, at least with long legs:

The west side in particular is difficult - 2 steps up and 2 steps down at places. But, it didn't feel dangerous - no cliffs or anything. There's a rope although I wouldn't want to rely on it with a bunch of weight.

There was no rope on Aug 22, and I didn't really see the need for one.

[retired jerry]

yeah, you don't need the rope

although it was handy and showed a way up