Hiked the timberline trail starting Thursday 6/25. Left after work and started on the trail at 6pm. Hiked 6ish miles to paradise park and camped at split rock. Didn’t see a soul, had the whole place to myself. Friday I hiked 24ish miles to cooper spur. Saturday hiked remaining 14 miles and back to the lodge by noon. Lots of snow from McNeil to just past elk cove. Felt like I was laying fresh tracks through some sections. Nothing too crazy though. I was by myself and had a gps. No crampons or spikes. Everything was manageable. A couple crossings were still snow covered so that made it easy. Elliot and white river were most difficult due to flow and Sandy banks. Saw lots of wildlife like a coyote and some deer.
I think I saw a bear while heading up to paradise park. A little black bear? What do you think this is?
https://imgur.com/gallery/e1aPsbe
I’ll make a video of the trip with more details.
Timberline Trail 25-27
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
A bear would be my guess too. Even a big black bear looks little at that distance. Nice job spotting it from that distance. I suppose you can feel happy you didn't encounter it closer.
- adamschneider
- Posts: 3716
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:02 pm
- Location: SE Portland
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Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
That seems to be the part of Mt. Hood where you're most likely to see bears. I haven't personally, but I've found lots of tracks.
If they see you, they'll run like hell in the other direction.
If they see you, they'll run like hell in the other direction.
- KDfishbiologist
- Posts: 25
- Joined: May 28th, 2020, 8:40 am
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
Must’ve been your tracks I was following! I hiked to Split Rock and camped there on Friday (06/26). Felt like I had the whole place to myself too. One heck of a sunset up there!
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14424
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
nice! First TT report I've seen this year
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
Just want to point out to others considering this that you went during a heat wave, so the snow was soft and you could kick steps. It is likely much harder and more slippery now.
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
I’m not much for writing trip reports but here are a couple more random snaps along the way.
https://imgur.com/gallery/8iVgvNB
https://imgur.com/gallery/MqARVCB
https://imgur.com/gallery/xiIHuIE
https://imgur.com/gallery/pbUsntv
https://imgur.com/gallery/8iVgvNB
https://imgur.com/gallery/MqARVCB
https://imgur.com/gallery/xiIHuIE
https://imgur.com/gallery/pbUsntv
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
You are totally right. When I woke up at 5am and left cooper spur headed towards gnarl ridge I had to cross several chutes that were super icy that had to be a couple hundred feet down if you slipped and fell. I definitely had the “should you be doing this with zero traction” moments but I just took my time and trusted my poles
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
Awesome post, and super helpful. Thanks so much. We are hoping to head out later this week and hike the trail Fri-Sat-Sun, but when we spoke with the rangers just now, they said it's too early in the season and the trail is snowed out. They said there's no way for us to go. Your post is giving us some hope that we may not need to abandon plans just yet. Do you have any additional intel on snow and trail conditions? Think there's a chance we could make the loop over this July 4 weekend? This last comment, about the icy chutes and the slippery slopes, is the one sticking point making us nervous...
Thanks in advance for any tips. And we loved your beautiful photos!
Thanks in advance for any tips. And we loved your beautiful photos!
- Born2BBrad
- Posts: 1086
- Joined: May 1st, 2011, 7:26 pm
- Location: The Dalles
Re: Timberline Trail 25-27
Went up to Mississippi Head via Split Rock again last Friday (6/26/20). Lots of now melted since the previous Friday, but still lots of snow between Timberline Lodge and ZZ overlook. Lots of snow in Paradise Park. That means the north side of Hood will have miles and miles of snow on the trail. Certain parts near the high point on the east side will have lots of snow.
You should have:
- GPS with the tracks
- Microspikes
- Hiking poles
- Experience hiking and navigating through snow
If not, I advise against going. There will still be a lot of snow covering parts of the trail this weekend.
You should have:
- GPS with the tracks
- Microspikes
- Hiking poles
- Experience hiking and navigating through snow
If not, I advise against going. There will still be a lot of snow covering parts of the trail this weekend.
Make now always the most precious time. Now will never come again.
- Jean Luc Picard
Link to GPX tracks
Link to Trip Reports
- Jean Luc Picard
Link to GPX tracks
Link to Trip Reports