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Difference between revisions of "Elk Cove Hike"

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[[Category:Exposed Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Exposed Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Moderate Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Moderate Hikes]]
[[Category:Difficult Hikes]]
 
 
[[Category:Mount Hood Area]]
 
[[Category:Mount Hood Area]]
 
[[Category:Northwest Oregon]]
 
[[Category:Northwest Oregon]]
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[[Category:Volcanic Feature Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Volcanic Feature Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Wildflower Hikes]]
 
[[Category:Wildflower Hikes]]
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[[Category:Hikes]]
  
 
[[Image:ElkCoveCoeOverlook.jpg|thumb|400px|Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook in late afternoon ''(Tom Kloster)'']]
 
[[Image:ElkCoveCoeOverlook.jpg|thumb|400px|Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook in late afternoon ''(Tom Kloster)'']]
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[[Image:ElkCoveNorthFace.jpg|300px|thumb|North Face of Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook ''(Tom Kloster)'']]
 
[[Image:ElkCoveNorthFace.jpg|300px|thumb|North Face of Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook ''(Tom Kloster)'']]
  
* Start point: [[Elk Cove Trailhead]]
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{{Start point|Elk Cove Trailhead}}
 
* End point: [[Elk Cove]]
 
* End point: [[Elk Cove]]
 
* Trail Log: [[Elk Cove Hike/Log]]
 
* Trail Log: [[Elk Cove Hike/Log]]
 
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{{Distance|10.2 miles}} round-trip
To Elk Cove:
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{{Distance|8.8 miles}} round-trip
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{{Elevation gain|2200 feet}}
 
{{Elevation gain|2200 feet}}
 
* High Point at Elk Cove: 5,460 feet
 
* High Point at Elk Cove: 5,460 feet
 
{{Difficulty|Moderate}}
 
{{Difficulty|Moderate}}
* Seasons: Summer and early Fall
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* Seasons: July–November
 
* Family Friendly: No
 
* Family Friendly: No
* Backpackable: Yes - connects to the Timberline Trail
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* Backpackable: Yes—connects to the Timberline Trail
 
* Crowded: Sometimes at Elk Cove on weekends
 
* Crowded: Sometimes at Elk Cove on weekends
 +
{{Add-on Hikes|Barrett Spur Add-on Hike|Dollar Lake Add-on Hike}}
  
To Dollar Lake:
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=== Description ===
{{Distance|10.4 miles}}
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This is a quiet alternative route to [[Elk Cove]] that avoids the crowds and bumpy access roads of the [[Elk Cove from Vista Ridge Hike|Vista Ridge]] and [[Elk Cove from Cloud Cap Hike|Cloud Cap]] approaches.  
{{Elevation gain|2700 feet}}
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* High Point: 5,960 feet
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{{Difficulty|Difficult}}
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* Seasons: Summer and early Fall
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* Family Friendly: No
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* Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
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* Crowded: Summer weekends on Timberline Trail
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=== Description ===
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A lot of the trail below the Timberline Trail got burned in the 2011 Dollar Lake fire so it's not so forested. Flowers are probably better though.
This is a quiet alternative route to Elk Cove that avoids the crowds and bumpy access roads of the Vista Ridge and Cloud Cap approaches. The trail begins with a bridge crossing of Pinnacle Creek, and then the first mile of the trail follows a tedious abandoned logging road past a single switchback. Soon, the trail branches off the road and begins to climb the wooded ridge that forms the west wall of Coe Canyon. The old route is steep at times as it steadily ascends the ridge. Approximately one mile from the abandoned road, the trail passes the top of an old clearcut and the obscure junction with an older alignment of the trail, to the left. From here, the route steepens again, climbing another mile over a crest, then into a saddle with a view of Mount Hood before arriving at the sweeping Coe Overlook, a rocky outcrop that provides views of Mount Hood and much of the surrounding terrain. Save some photos for your return trip, because the light is best in late afternoon.
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 +
The trail begins with a crossing of Pinnacle Creek, and then the first mile of the trail follows a tedious abandoned logging road past a single switchback. Soon, the trail branches off the road and begins to climb the wooded ridge that forms the west wall of Coe Canyon. The old route is steep at times as it steadily ascends the ridge. Approximately one mile from the abandoned road, the trail passes the top of an old clearcut and the obscure junction with an older alignment of the trail, to the left. From here, the route steepens again, climbing another mile over a crest, then into a saddle with a view of [[Mount Hood]] before arriving at the sweeping [[Coe Overlook]], a rocky outcrop that provides views of Mount Hood and much of the surrounding terrain. Save some photos for your return trip, because the light is best in late afternoon.
  
From the overlook, the trail re-enters woods, and climbs for another mile to a crossing of Cove Creek. The water here is usually potable, though the creek does contain rock flour in high runoff periods. The route then climbs another 0.7 miles, winding through handsome subalpine forests, before emerging into wildflower displays at the fringes of Elk Cove. There are several campsites located along the trail just short of the junction with the Timberline Trail in the lush meadows of [[Elk Cove]]. Turn left for a few yards for the most sublime view of the mountain, rising above acres of wildflowers. The spectacular Coe Glacier dominates the north face of Mount Hood, and craggy Barrett Spur rises like a black wall above the meadows, framing the idyllic scene. Also be sure to walk to the far side of the cove, where a icy 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.
+
From the overlook, the trail re-enters woods, and climbs for another mile to a crossing of [[Cove Creek Crossing on Elk Cove Trail|Cove Creek]]. The water here is usually potable, though the creek does contain rock flour in high runoff periods. The route then climbs another 0.8 miles, winding through handsome subalpine forests, before emerging into wildflower displays at the fringes of Elk Cove. There are several campsites located along the trail just short of the junction with the [[Timberline-Elk Cove Trail Junction|Timberline Trail]] in the lush meadows of Elk Cove. Turn left for a few yards for the most sublime view of the mountain, rising above acres of wildflowers. The spectacular Coe Glacier dominates the north face of Mount Hood, and craggy [[Barrett Spur]] rises like a black wall above the meadows, framing the idyllic scene. Also be sure to walk to the far side of the cove, where a icy [[Cove Creek Crossing on Timberline Trail|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 along the Elk Cove trail approach, and not in the fragile meadows.   
 
Backpackers should camp at one of numerous spots in the trees at the east or north ends of the cove along the Timberline and along the Elk Cove trail approach, 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 1.6 miles and another 500 elevation gain to your round trip, as the route passes through a spectacular hillside meadow with views of Mount Hood and Elk Cove, hundreds of feet below.
+
There are a couple of logical add-ons to this hike. The hike to [[Dollar Lake]] is detailed [[Dollar Lake Add-on Hike|here]] and the longer trek past Dollar Lake up [[Barrett Spur|Barrett Spur]] is listed [[Barrett Spur Add-on Hike|here]].
  
 
=== Maps ===
 
=== Maps ===
 
[[Image:ElkCoveTrailMap.JPG|thumb|500px|left|Elk Cove Trail Map]]
 
[[Image:ElkCoveTrailMap.JPG|thumb|500px|left|Elk Cove Trail Map]]
  
{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}}
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{{TripReports|Elk Cove}}
(Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=8 here] to add your own)
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{{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}}
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{{RelatedDiscussions|Elk Cove}}
(Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=141 here] to ask a question or start a conversation)
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=== More Links ===
 
=== More Links ===
  
 
=== Page Contributors ===
 
=== Page Contributors ===
* [[User:Splintercat|Splintercat (Tom Kloster)]] (primary)
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* [[User:Splintercat|Splintercat (Tom Kloster)]]
 
* [[User:retiredjerry]]
 
* [[User:retiredjerry]]

Revision as of 21:45, 2 August 2019

Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook in late afternoon (Tom Kloster)
Drifts of Lupine in early July (Tom Kloster)
North Face of Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook (Tom Kloster)
  • Start point: Elk Cove TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End point: Elk Cove
  • Trail Log: Elk Cove Hike/Log
  • Distance: 10.2 miles round-trip
  • Elevation gain: 2200 feet
  • High Point at Elk Cove: 5,460 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Seasons: July–November
  • Family Friendly: No
  • Backpackable: Yes—connects to the Timberline Trail
  • Crowded: Sometimes at Elk Cove on weekends
Add-On Hikes: Barrett Spur Add-on Hike , Dollar Lake Add-on Hike

Contents

Description

This is a quiet alternative route to Elk Cove that avoids the crowds and bumpy access roads of the Vista Ridge and Cloud Cap approaches.

A lot of the trail below the Timberline Trail got burned in the 2011 Dollar Lake fire so it's not so forested. Flowers are probably better though.

The trail begins with a crossing of Pinnacle Creek, and then the first mile of the trail follows a tedious abandoned logging road past a single switchback. Soon, the trail branches off the road and begins to climb the wooded ridge that forms the west wall of Coe Canyon. The old route is steep at times as it steadily ascends the ridge. Approximately one mile from the abandoned road, the trail passes the top of an old clearcut and the obscure junction with an older alignment of the trail, to the left. From here, the route steepens again, climbing another mile over a crest, then into a saddle with a view of Mount Hood before arriving at the sweeping Coe Overlook, a rocky outcrop that provides views of Mount Hood and much of the surrounding terrain. Save some photos for your return trip, because the light is best in late afternoon.

From the overlook, the trail re-enters woods, and climbs for another mile to a crossing of Cove Creek. The water here is usually potable, though the creek does contain rock flour in high runoff periods. The route then climbs another 0.8 miles, winding through handsome subalpine forests, before emerging into wildflower displays at the fringes of Elk Cove. There are several campsites located along the trail just short of the junction with the Timberline Trail in the lush meadows of Elk Cove. Turn left for a few yards for the most sublime view of the mountain, rising above acres of wildflowers. The spectacular Coe Glacier dominates the north face of Mount Hood, and craggy Barrett Spur rises like a black wall above the meadows, framing the idyllic scene. Also be sure to walk to the far side of the cove, where a icy 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 along the Elk Cove trail approach, and not in the fragile meadows.

There are a couple of logical add-ons to this hike. The hike to Dollar Lake is detailed here and the longer trek past Dollar Lake up Barrett Spur is listed here.

Maps

Elk Cove Trail Map

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

More Links

Page Contributors

Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

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