One night backpacking suggestion

[dhaval257]

Hello Guys,

I am new here. I moved to Hillsboro a year ago. I love Oregon's beauty. I have been hiking a lot in NW.
My friends are visiting me from east coast on 4th July weekend. I want to give them a taste of NW beauty.


We are looking to backpack 1 night at some mountain hike, with lot of viewpoints, wildflowers(if there are any).
I think 10-12 miles are okay for us. And trail head close to portland within 3-4 hours drive.


Do you guys have any suggestion ?

Thanks in advance,
Dhaval

[mountain goat]

Rhododendrons were still blooming on some hikes near Mt. Hood (West Zigzag and Burnt Lake) as a of a week ago; those hikes can be combined and provide about the distance you want, one way. Fair amount of elevation gain (3,000 feet plus), though, but good views of Hood, Adams, Mt St Helens, and I think Rainier.

I think there have been other trip reports about further up Hood around Vista Ridge and Cooper Spur (viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24124), but depends on your comfort with elevation gain and snow.

[dhaval257]

Sorry for the confusion. I meant 10-12 miles total/round trip.


I am looking at the west zigzag hike you mentioned.



I was looking at http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide ... d_Cap_Hike OR http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Elk_Cove_Hike this before. But when I callled Mt. Hood Nation Forest Center they mentioned snow and fallen tree reports. So, I called it off. (I am a first timer . Got Scared !!)

[pdxgene]

This a pretty tough weekend. It might be a good idea to have a backup plan or two. For instance-- re West ZigZag, parking at the Burnt Lake trailhead is pretty limited.

[CampinCarl]

One suggestion would be McNeil Point, see field guide for details:

http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide ... Point_Hike

Of course it will be busy as pdxgene suggests.

[dhaval257]

Thank you guys for the suggestion. Somehow I am still inclined towards Elk Cove hikes. What do you guys suggest for a first timer?

[sprengers4jc]

Instead of Elk Cove, head up Vista Ridge or from Top Spur instead. You will avoid a lot of the blowdown and could camp in Cairn Basin or Eden Park and explore from there. There may be a small amount of snow before the TT junction but the Basin and Park appears to be melted out, from the pics I have seen.

[dhaval257]

Thank you for your reply sprengers4jc

I see you are suggesting http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide ... _Spur_Hike OR http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide ... Ridge_Hike , right ?


Looks pretty descent to me.


You mentioned about seeing pics of Basin. Was it viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24066&p=182877&hili ... in#p182877 this ?
Could you post link of your reference ? Sorry I am just a first timer so want to prepare how much snow I will have to face. Hope you understand.

[retired jerry]

Cairn Basin from Top Spur is a great hike. Hike up to McNeil Point too. Or Barret Spur. Or...

[sprengers4jc]

Thank you for your reply sprengers4jc

I see you are suggesting http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide ... _Spur_Hike OR http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide ... Ridge_Hike , right ?


Looks pretty descent to me.


You mentioned about seeing pics of Basin. Was it viewtopic.php?f=8&t=24066&p=182877&hili ... in#p182877 this ?
Could you post link of your reference ? Sorry I am just a first timer so want to prepare how much snow I will have to face. Hope you understand.

Ah, I misspoke a little. It was Eden Park that was mostly melted out, from Gene's report from June 21. Cairn Basin is a couple hundred feet of elevation higher, and may be holding a bit more snow than Eden Park. Maybe plan to camp at Eden, and explore Cairn?