Revision as of 08:02, 12 December 2006

Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook in late afternoon

North Face of Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook

Drifts of Lupine in early July

Info

• Trailhead: Pinnacle Creek Trailhead

To Elk Cove:

• Distance to Elk Cove: 8.8 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain to Elk Cove: 2,200 feet
• High Point at Elk Cove: 5,400 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult - especially Coe Branch Crossing
• Seasons: Summer and early Fall
• Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
• Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
• Crowded: Summer weekends

To Dollar Lake:

• Distance to Dollar Lake: 10.4 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,600 feet to Elk Cove
• High Point: 6,200 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult - especially Coe Branch Crossing
• Seasons: Summer and early Fall
• Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
• Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
• Crowded: Summer weekends

Trip Reports

(Click here to add your own)

Description

This is THE classic alpine hike on Mount Hood, with spectacular mountain views, rugged glacial streams, icy waterfalls and tiny streams lined with mid-summer wildflowers along the way. The rolling meadows at Elk Cove are among the most beautiful on the mountain, and the towering north face the most spectacular view of Mount Hood.

From the trailhead, follow the Timberline Trail left and uphill for a short distance to a junction, where a detour trail now takes hikers around a washed out portion of the trail (the original trail goes to the right - but don't attempt to follow it, since the Eliot Branch crossing on the old route is very dangerous due to the very large washout). Stay right after a few hundred yards, following detour signs to Elk Cove. This section of the detour is a dusty, sometimes steep climb, but after entering the Eliot Branch canyon the stunning views of Mount Hood will help you forget the dusty trail surface.

After crossing the often raging Eliot Branch on a seasonal wooden bridge (generally removed by October), the trail climbs the north wall of the canyon, then follows a steep forest descent to the original Timberline Trail alignment at the 0.9 mile mark. From here, the route rambles through gorgeous alpine forest and meadows at an even grade, with Mount Hood looming at the head of several side canyons of Compass Creek. You will also have fine views of rugged Barrett Spur, forming the horizon to the west. At the third major side canyon at 2.8 miles, a branch of Compass Creek tumbles in and out of snow caves in early summer, then plunges over a 60 foot waterfall below the trail. This is a good lunch spot or turnaround point for a shorter hike.

Next, the trail descends in switchbacks to a potentially difficult crossing of the frothing Coe Branch. Like the Eliot Branch, the Coe is a glacial stream whose flow fluctuates wildly in summer; unlike the Eliot Branch, the Coe has no bridge. While it’s often possible to cross without wet feet, you are equally likely to face a challenging ford here. Hiking poles and a spare set of shoes come in handy for the crossing. There are generally makeshift "bridges" made from log debris by late summer, but if you're finding your own spot to cross, err on the upstream side: the creek flows over slick bedrock and some dangerous slides as it flows downstream - and then a large waterfall!

The Timberline Trail now climbs into a suddenly quiet, handsome forest of very old mountain hemlock and alpine fir for 0.7 miles, before emerging in lush meadows of Elk Cove. The spectacular Coe Glacier dominates the north face of Mount Hood, and craggy Barrett Spur rises like a black wall above the meadow, framing the idyllic scene. The classic view for countless photographs is from the trail, just after crossing the first bit of meadow, but be sure to walk to the far side of the cove, where a crystal-clear Cove Creek rambles through the meadows. Of the many wildflowers found here, none is as prolific as the Western pasque flower, which blooms immediately after snowmelt, and thus before most hikers arrive. But the unusual seedheads appear by late July, and persist until frost -- the common name Old Man of the Mountain comes from the distinctive seedheads.

Backpackers should camp at one of numerous spots in the trees at the east or north ends of the cove along the Timberline and Elk Cove trail approaches, and not in the fragile meadows.

Dollar Lake is another nearby destination, on a spur trail that leaves the Timberline Trail about one half mile west of Elk Cove. This longer trip adds 1.2 miles and another 1,300 elevation gain to your round trip, as passes through a spectacular hillside meadow with views of Mount Hood and Elk Cove, hundreds of feet below.

Maps

Active Conversations / Q&A

(Click here to ask a question or start a conversation)

More Links

Page Contributors

• Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)