Difference between revisions of "Cairn Basin from Vista Ridge Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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{{Elevation Gain|1560 feet}} | {{Elevation Gain|1560 feet}} | ||
* High Point: 5,920 feet | * High Point: 5,920 feet | ||
| − | + | {{Difficulty|Difficult}}, due to Ladd Creek Crossing | |
* Seasons: Summer and early Fall | * Seasons: Summer and early Fall | ||
* Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids | * Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids | ||
Revision as of 04:22, 23 March 2007
- Start point: Vista Ridge Trailhead
- End point: Cairn Basin
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Distance: 8.4 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 1560 feet
- High Point: 5,920 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult, due to Ladd Creek Crossing
- Seasons: Summer and early Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
- Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
- Crowded: Summer weekends
Contents |
Description
This hike combines visits to three of Mount Hood’s alpine “parks”: idyllic Eden Park, rugged Cairn Basin and starkly beautiful Wy'East Basin. Each was named by a Mazama Club expedition in the early 1900s, helping lead to the construction of the Timberline Trail. The scenery on this loop is some of the finest on the mountain, with lush wildflower displays in July and early August.
From the Vista Ridge Trailhead, the route initially follows a rocky, overgrown roadbed before entering deep forest and a softer trail surface. At 0.3 miles, reach a trail junction and turn right (uphill) onto the Vista Ridge trail. Pass a wilderness registration sign and follow this evenly graded route as it climbs through forest for 2.1 miles to the Eden Park Trail junction, and the first of many fine views of Mount Hood. Turn right here, following the sign Eden Park. The trail drops in short switchbacks from Vista Ridge, soon passing several steep meadows with views that include Lost Lake, nestled in the forest below. After traversing a pair of flower-lined swales, reach rushing Ladd Creek. Like most glacial streams within the Mount Hood Wilderness, the crossing is bridgeless and can require some ingenuity. After crossing, look for the resumption of the trail a bit further downstream, and after a brief walk through open forest, reach the north end of Eden Park at 3.3 miles, with picturesque views of Mount Hood towering over the meadow.
From Eden Park, the trail climbs an open slope for a half-mile in a series of short switchbacks before reaching the Timberline Trail at 3.9 miles. Turn left, and immediately enter Cairn Basin at 4.0 miles, with its stone shelter and handsome, wildflower-framed mountain views. The trail is lined with rocks through the heavily used camping area adjacent to the meadow to help you follow the route. Continue straight where an informal trail heads to the stone shelter on the right, and soon reach a second, upper crossing of Ladd Creek. This crossing can be more difficult than the lower ford, so use care.
From Ladd Creek, the route climbs through a pair of switchbacks before traversing through still more steep meadows and a high, rocky swale that provides a fine view of the mountain. Soon the route rounds Vista Ridge, and reaches an excellent viewpoint at 4.8 miles that includes Hood, Adams and Rainier, as well as farms in the Upper Hood River Valley, and the entire Vista Ridge route, far below. After taking in the view, follow the Timberline Trail a short distance to a 3-way trail junction, just west of Wy'East Basin at 5.0 miles. Take a moment to go right for a few yards to a nice view of the basin. There is an excellent tent site in the trees on the far side of the meadow, just below the trail. The primitive trail to Barrett Spur continues up from Wy'East Basin.
To complete the hike, retrace your steps back to the junction with the Vista Ridge Trail, just west of Wy'East Basin, following the sign pointing downhill to Eden Park. From here, the route passes through a rugged swale that traces the east foot of Vista Ridge, then drops to the Eden Park Trail junction at the 5.5 mile mark. Turn right, and follow your original path the remaining 2.4 miles to your car.
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