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Difference between revisions of "Elk Cove Hike"

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[[Category:Mount Hood]]
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[[Category:Alpine Hikes]]
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[[Category:Backpackable Hikes]]
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[[Category:Exposed Hikes]]
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[[Category:Moderate Hikes]]
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[[Category:Mount Hood Area]]
 
[[Category:Northwest Oregon]]
 
[[Category:Northwest Oregon]]
[[Category:Viewpoint]]
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[[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]]
[[Category:Alpine]]
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[[Category:Volcanic Feature Hikes]]
[[Category:Wildflowers]]
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[[Category:Wildflower Hikes]]
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[[Category:Hikes]]
  
[[Image:ElkCoveCoeOverlook.jpg|thumb|400px|Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook in late afternoon]]
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[[Image:ElkCoveCoeOverlook.jpg|thumb|400px|Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook in late afternoon ''(Tom Kloster)'']]
[[Image:ElkCoveNorthFace.jpg|300px|thumb|North Face of Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook]]
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[[Image:Lupine.jpg|300px|thumb|Drifts of Lupine in early July ''(Tom Kloster)'']]
[[Image:Lupine.jpg|300px|thumb|Drifts of Lupine in early July]]
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[[Image:ElkCoveNorthFace.jpg|300px|thumb|North Face of Mount Hood from the Coe Overlook ''(Tom Kloster)'']]
  
== Info ==
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{{Start point|Elk Cove Trailhead}}
* Trailhead: [[Pinnacle Creek Trailhead]]
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* End point: [[Elk Cove]]
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* Trail Log: [[Elk Cove Hike/Log]]
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{{Distance|10.2 miles}} round-trip
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{{Elevation gain|2200 feet}}
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* High Point at Elk Cove: 5,460 feet
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{{Difficulty|Moderate}}
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* Seasons: July–November
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* Family Friendly: No
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* Backpackable: Yes—connects to the Timberline Trail
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* Crowded: Sometimes at Elk Cove on weekends
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{{Add-on Hikes|Barrett Spur Add-on Hike|Dollar Lake Add-on Hike}}
  
To Elk Cove:
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=== Description ===
* Distance to Elk Cove: 8.8 miles round-trip
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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 to Elk Cove: 2,200 feet
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* High Point at Elk Cove: 5,400 feet
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* Difficulty: Difficult - especially Coe Branch Crossing
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* Seasons: Summer and early Fall
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* Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
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* Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
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* Crowded: Summer weekends
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To Dollar Lake:
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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.
* Distance to Dollar Lake: 10.4 miles
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* Elevation gain: 1,600 feet to Elk Cove
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* High Point: 6,200 feet
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* Difficulty: Difficult - especially Coe Branch Crossing
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* Seasons: Summer and early Fall
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* Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
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* Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
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* Crowded: Summer weekends
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== Trip Reports ==
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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.
  
(Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=8 here] to add your own)
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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.
  
== Description ==
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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.
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.
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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.  
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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]].
  
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.
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=== Maps ===
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[[Image:ElkCoveTrailMap.JPG|thumb|500px|left|Elk Cove Trail Map]]
  
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!
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{{TripReports|Elk Cove}}
  
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.
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{{RelatedDiscussions|Elk Cove}}
  
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. 
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=== More Links ===
  
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.
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=== Page Contributors ===
 
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* [[User:Splintercat|Splintercat (Tom Kloster)]]
== Maps ==
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* [[User:retiredjerry]]
 
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[[Image:ElkCoveMap.jpg|thumb|500px|left|Elk Cove Trail Map - from Cloud Cap Trailhead]]
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== Active Conversations / Q&A ==
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(Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=141 here] to ask a question or start a conversation)
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== More Links ==
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== Page Contributors ==
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* [[User:Splintercat|Splintercat (Tom Kloster)]] (primary)
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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.

Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. All content posted on the field guide becomes the property of Trailkeepers of Oregon, and may not be used without permission.