Difference between revisions of "East Zigzag Mountain Hike"
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+ | [[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Mt Hood National Forest]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Mount Hood Area]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Mount Hood Wilderness]] | ||
[[Category:Alpine Hikes]] | [[Category:Alpine Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Backpackable Hikes]] | [[Category:Backpackable Hikes]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Wilderness Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Creek Hikes]] | [[Category:Creek Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Lake Hikes]] | [[Category:Lake Hikes]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Moderate Hikes]] |
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[[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]] | [[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Wildflower Hikes]] |
+ | [[Category:Crowded Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Hikes]] | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
+ | [[Image:TKO put tools to trail here.png|400px|right]] | ||
[[Image:mthoodfromezigzag.JPG|thumb|400px|Mount Hood with East Zigzag Mountain (a nice destination) in the foreground ''(Sparklehorse)'']] | [[Image:mthoodfromezigzag.JPG|thumb|400px|Mount Hood with East Zigzag Mountain (a nice destination) in the foreground ''(Sparklehorse)'']] | ||
+ | [[Image:LostCreekFalls1.jpg|thumb|250px|Lost Creek Falls ''(pdxgene)'']] | ||
+ | [[Image:BurntLake14.jpg|thumb|250px|Broad-leaf montia ''(Montia cordifolia)'', Burnt Lake ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
[[Image:Burntlake.JPG|thumb|250px|Burnt Lake from the Burnt Lake Trail northwest of the lake ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | [[Image:Burntlake.JPG|thumb|250px|Burnt Lake from the Burnt Lake Trail northwest of the lake ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | ||
+ | [[Image:Mt. Hood, East Zigzag Mountain.jpg|thumb|250px|Mt. Hood from East Zigzag Mountain ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
[[Image:EastZigzagMap.png|thumb|400px|Burnt Lake Trail to East Zigzag Mountain (not a GPS track) ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Caltopo'']] | [[Image:EastZigzagMap.png|thumb|400px|Burnt Lake Trail to East Zigzag Mountain (not a GPS track) ''(bobcat)'' Courtesy: ''Caltopo'']] | ||
{{Start point|North Burnt Lake Trailhead}} | {{Start point|North Burnt Lake Trailhead}} | ||
* End point: [[East Zigzag Mountain]] | * End point: [[East Zigzag Mountain]] | ||
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* Trail log: [[East Zigzag from Lost Creek Hike/Log| Trail Log]] | * Trail log: [[East Zigzag from Lost Creek Hike/Log| Trail Log]] | ||
{{Distance|9.4 miles}} round trip | {{Distance|9.4 miles}} round trip | ||
{{Elevation gain|2300 feet}} | {{Elevation gain|2300 feet}} | ||
− | {{Difficulty| | + | * High point: 4,971 feet |
+ | {{Difficulty|Moderate}} | ||
* Seasons: July - November | * Seasons: July - November | ||
− | * Family Friendly: | + | * Family Friendly: No |
* Backpackable: Yes | * Backpackable: Yes | ||
− | * Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to Burnt Lake | + | * Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to [[Burnt Lake]] |
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
− | This hike takes you up to the Zigzag Ridge and [[East Zigzag Mountain]], a rocky | + | This hike takes you up to the Zigzag Ridge and [[East Zigzag Mountain]], a rocky summit with great views all around, especially of [[Mount Hood]], but with other Cascade volcanoes also in view. A major stopover along the way is [[Burnt Lake]], a picturesque mountain lake with a pretty view of [[Mount Hood]]. There's also a pretty and little known waterfall just off the trail before you get to [[Burnt Lake]]. Most of the trail is through forest with occasional views. |
− | + | The Burnt Lake Trail #772 begins wide and gentle on an old road track in a lush forest that was burned over in the late 19th century. Start to the right of the trail sign, where you pass through a stile. The principal tree cover here is Douglas-fir, western hemlock, silver fir and vine maple. Review the map board and sign in at the wilderness permit box. Burnt Lake Creek runs down to the right and is shaded by red-cedar. Large, scorched stumps, mainly cedars, are all that remain of the magnificent old-growth forest. Lady fern, devil's club, sword fern, starry solomon plume, oxalis, and bunchberry form a lush groundcover. Gradually ascend. A spur to the right leads down to a tributary of Burnt Lake Creek. Cross the creek after this and round another large cedar snag. Then you'll cross several small creeks using plank walks. Another spur to the left leads down into the Lost Creek valley to a campsite and views from the top of multi-tiered [[Lost Creek Falls]]. To get a head-on view of the falls requires more of a scramble and bushwhack to the creek bed. | |
− | + | The trail switchbacks up from here and makes a traverse, crossing a creek and then becoming a long gradual ascent. Brooklets gush from springs above the trail. The path dips to cross a creek reeking of skunk-cabbage. The trail crosses a plank bridge and enters a Sitka alder clearing. Cross Burnt Lake Creek and head up to [[Burnt Lake]], keeping right. At a spot marked B, No Camping Here, one can go left to the shore and get a classic view of [[Mount Hood]] reflected in the still waters. The montane forest encircling the lake is composed of silver fir, cedar, hemlock, Sitka alder and mountain ash. The trail heads up to a junction with the circular path around the lake. You can take this path, which is very brushy in spots, around [[Burnt Lake]] to reach other designated campsites. There are at least five small tarns in the vicinity of the lake: the largest, reached by a short, brushy bushwhack, are at the foot of a talus slope just southeast of the lake. | |
− | Burnt Lake | + | Continuing on the Burnt Lake Trail, pass a campsite and then a small tarn on the left. The trail drops to cross Burnt Lake Creek and reaches the bottom of a slope. You'll traverse up to the left and then make a couple of switchbacks. Hike through dark woods and cross an open wet meadow before traversing up to the right. The trail switchbacks under mountain hemlock, noble fir, and lodgepole pine. A spur leads right to a view of [[Mount Hood]]. Then you'll make four more switchbacks and come to the signposted junction with the [[Zigzag Mountain-Burnt Lake Trail East Junction|Zigzag Mountain Trail #775]] at mile 4.2. |
− | + | Head right here, and rise steeply to a viewpoint of [[Burnt Lake]] and [[Mount Hood]]. The trail levels, and you get great views of [[Mount Adams]], [[Mount Rainier]], and [[Mount Saint Helens]]. At the [[Zigzag Mountain-Burnt Lake Trail West Junction]], keep straight for [[East Zigzag Mountain]]. The loose tread heads steeply up, and at a junction near the top, bear right. This takes you to the rocky summit. To the south, you can now see [[Olallie Butte]] and [[Mount Jefferson]]. Also visible are [[Multorpor Mountain]], Ski Bowl, and [[Tom Dick and Harry Mountain]]. Noble fir, mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, boxwood, and huckleberry cloak the summit. Look for beautiful bear-grass displays in June, particularly on the east slope. There is a possible camp spot just to the west where there used to be a fire lookout. | |
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To finish the hike, go back to the trailhead the way you came. | To finish the hike, go back to the trailhead the way you came. | ||
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=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
+ | {{Hikemaps|latitude=45.3490|longitude=-121.8136}} | ||
+ | * Green Trails Maps: ''Government Camp, OR #461'' | ||
+ | * Adventure Maps: ''Mt. Hood Area'' | ||
+ | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Zigzag Ranger District'' | ||
+ | * Discover Your Northwest: ''Mt. Hood National Forest North: Trail Map & Hiking Guide'' | ||
+ | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Mt. Hood National Forest'' | ||
+ | * National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: ''Mount Hood'' | ||
+ | * National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: ''Mount Hood Wilderness'' | ||
=== Fees, Regulations, etc. === | === Fees, Regulations, etc. === | ||
− | * Northwest Forest Pass required | + | * Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required. Pass must be acquired beforehand as they are not sold at the trailhead. |
+ | * Port-a-potty at trailhead | ||
+ | * Self-issued wilderness permit | ||
+ | * Wilderness rules apply | ||
+ | * Designated camping only at [[Burnt Lake]] | ||
{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | {{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
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=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
+ | * ''60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland'' by Paul Gerald | ||
+ | * ''100 Classic Hikes in Oregon'' by Douglas Lorain | ||
+ | * ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain | ||
+ | * ''One Night Wilderness: Portland'' by Douglas Lorain | ||
+ | * ''100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan | ||
+ | * ''Hiking Oregon's Mount Hood & Badger Creek Wilderness'' by Fred Barstad | ||
+ | * ''Hiking Mount Hood National Forest'' by Marcia Sinclair | ||
* ''105 Virtual Hikes of the Mt. Hood National Forest'' by Northwest Hiker | * ''105 Virtual Hikes of the Mt. Hood National Forest'' by Northwest Hiker | ||
+ | * ''62 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
+ | * ''70 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades'' by Don & Roberta Lowe | ||
+ | * ''Oregon Hiking'' by Sean Patrick Hill | ||
+ | * ''Oregon's Columbia River Gorge: Camping & Hiking'' by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill | ||
+ | * ''Pacific Northwest Hiking'' by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill | ||
=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
+ | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=72007 Burnt Lake Trail #772 (USFS)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mthood/recarea/?recid=53646 Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 (USFS)] | ||
+ | * [http://nwhiker.com/MHNFHike19.html East Zig Zag Mountain via Burnt Lake Hike (Northwest Hiker)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.eyehike.com/2016/east-zigzag-mountain-or/ East Zigzag Mountain, OR (EyeHike)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.iheartpacificnorthwest.com/burnt-lake-east-zigzag-mountain-day-hike/ Burnt Lake + East Zigzag Mountain day hike (I Heart Pacific Northwest)] | ||
+ | * [https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/oregon/burnt-lake-zigzag-mountain Burnt Lake + Zigzag Mountain (Outdoor Project)] | ||
+ | * [http://www.oregonhiking.com/oregon-adventures/100-hikes-in-northwest-oregon-and-southwest-washington/mount-hood-west-hikes/east-zigzag-mountain-hike East Zigzag Mountain (Oregon Adventures)] | ||
+ | * [http://www.oregonwaterfalls.net/lostcrk.htm Waterfalls - Lost Creek Falls (Oregon Waterfalls)] | ||
+ | * [http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/falls.php?num=3803 Lost Creek Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)] | ||
+ | * [http://www.cascaderamblings.com/cascade.php?cascade=1010643277.10101 Burnt Lake (Cascade Ramblings)] | ||
+ | * [https://oregonlookouts.weebly.com/east-zigzag-mountain.html East Zigzag Mountain (Forest Lookouts)] | ||
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=== Contributors === | === Contributors === | ||
* [[User:retiredjerry|retiredjerry]] (creator) | * [[User:retiredjerry|retiredjerry]] (creator) |
Latest revision as of 22:36, 29 November 2022
- Start point: North Burnt Lake Trailhead
- End point: East Zigzag Mountain
- Trail log: Trail Log
- Distance: 9.4 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 2300 feet
- High point: 4,971 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: July - November
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to Burnt Lake
Contents |
Hike Description
This hike takes you up to the Zigzag Ridge and East Zigzag Mountain, a rocky summit with great views all around, especially of Mount Hood, but with other Cascade volcanoes also in view. A major stopover along the way is Burnt Lake, a picturesque mountain lake with a pretty view of Mount Hood. There's also a pretty and little known waterfall just off the trail before you get to Burnt Lake. Most of the trail is through forest with occasional views.
The Burnt Lake Trail #772 begins wide and gentle on an old road track in a lush forest that was burned over in the late 19th century. Start to the right of the trail sign, where you pass through a stile. The principal tree cover here is Douglas-fir, western hemlock, silver fir and vine maple. Review the map board and sign in at the wilderness permit box. Burnt Lake Creek runs down to the right and is shaded by red-cedar. Large, scorched stumps, mainly cedars, are all that remain of the magnificent old-growth forest. Lady fern, devil's club, sword fern, starry solomon plume, oxalis, and bunchberry form a lush groundcover. Gradually ascend. A spur to the right leads down to a tributary of Burnt Lake Creek. Cross the creek after this and round another large cedar snag. Then you'll cross several small creeks using plank walks. Another spur to the left leads down into the Lost Creek valley to a campsite and views from the top of multi-tiered Lost Creek Falls. To get a head-on view of the falls requires more of a scramble and bushwhack to the creek bed.
The trail switchbacks up from here and makes a traverse, crossing a creek and then becoming a long gradual ascent. Brooklets gush from springs above the trail. The path dips to cross a creek reeking of skunk-cabbage. The trail crosses a plank bridge and enters a Sitka alder clearing. Cross Burnt Lake Creek and head up to Burnt Lake, keeping right. At a spot marked B, No Camping Here, one can go left to the shore and get a classic view of Mount Hood reflected in the still waters. The montane forest encircling the lake is composed of silver fir, cedar, hemlock, Sitka alder and mountain ash. The trail heads up to a junction with the circular path around the lake. You can take this path, which is very brushy in spots, around Burnt Lake to reach other designated campsites. There are at least five small tarns in the vicinity of the lake: the largest, reached by a short, brushy bushwhack, are at the foot of a talus slope just southeast of the lake.
Continuing on the Burnt Lake Trail, pass a campsite and then a small tarn on the left. The trail drops to cross Burnt Lake Creek and reaches the bottom of a slope. You'll traverse up to the left and then make a couple of switchbacks. Hike through dark woods and cross an open wet meadow before traversing up to the right. The trail switchbacks under mountain hemlock, noble fir, and lodgepole pine. A spur leads right to a view of Mount Hood. Then you'll make four more switchbacks and come to the signposted junction with the Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 at mile 4.2.
Head right here, and rise steeply to a viewpoint of Burnt Lake and Mount Hood. The trail levels, and you get great views of Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount Saint Helens. At the Zigzag Mountain-Burnt Lake Trail West Junction, keep straight for East Zigzag Mountain. The loose tread heads steeply up, and at a junction near the top, bear right. This takes you to the rocky summit. To the south, you can now see Olallie Butte and Mount Jefferson. Also visible are Multorpor Mountain, Ski Bowl, and Tom Dick and Harry Mountain. Noble fir, mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, boxwood, and huckleberry cloak the summit. Look for beautiful bear-grass displays in June, particularly on the east slope. There is a possible camp spot just to the west where there used to be a fire lookout.
To finish the hike, go back to the trailhead the way you came.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Government Camp, OR #461
- Adventure Maps: Mt. Hood Area
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Zigzag Ranger District
- Discover Your Northwest: Mt. Hood National Forest North: Trail Map & Hiking Guide
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Hood
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Hood Wilderness
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required. Pass must be acquired beforehand as they are not sold at the trailhead.
- Port-a-potty at trailhead
- Self-issued wilderness permit
- Wilderness rules apply
- Designated camping only at Burnt Lake
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for East Zigzag Mountain Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for East Zigzag Mountain Hike
- East Zigzag via Burnt Lake snow level report
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland by Paul Gerald
- 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon by Douglas Lorain
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- One Night Wilderness: Portland by Douglas Lorain
- 100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Hiking Oregon's Mount Hood & Badger Creek Wilderness by Fred Barstad
- Hiking Mount Hood National Forest by Marcia Sinclair
- 105 Virtual Hikes of the Mt. Hood National Forest by Northwest Hiker
- 62 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 70 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Oregon's Columbia River Gorge: Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
More Links
- Burnt Lake Trail #772 (USFS)
- Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 (USFS)
- East Zig Zag Mountain via Burnt Lake Hike (Northwest Hiker)
- East Zigzag Mountain, OR (EyeHike)
- Burnt Lake + East Zigzag Mountain day hike (I Heart Pacific Northwest)
- Burnt Lake + Zigzag Mountain (Outdoor Project)
- East Zigzag Mountain (Oregon Adventures)
- Waterfalls - Lost Creek Falls (Oregon Waterfalls)
- Lost Creek Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
- Burnt Lake (Cascade Ramblings)
- East Zigzag Mountain (Forest Lookouts)
Contributors
- retiredjerry (creator)