Difference between revisions of "Mount Hood Meadows Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | While most think of [[Paradise Park]], [[Cairn Basin]] or [[Elk Cove]] as the most prolific wildflower gardens on the flanks of [[Mount Hood]], the most expansive displays are found in the vicinity of | + | While most think of [[Paradise Park]], [[Cairn Basin]] or [[Elk Cove]] as the most prolific wildflower gardens on the flanks of [[Mount Hood]], the most expansive displays are found in the vicinity of Mount Hood Meadows. While the Meadows ski resort has expanded to cover much of the area, the trails remain surprisingly free of reminders that a throng of skiers that crowd the slopes here in winter. The massive display of wildflowers in July and August and series of pretty streams and waterfalls makes this a good destination even when clouds obscure the mountain. |
| − | The hike begins at the [[Elk Meadows Trailhead]]. From the trailhead, hike 0.3 miles through open forest to the well-signed [[Elk Meadows-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction]]. Turn left here; you’ll be returning on the other fork at the conclusion of this hike. The Umbrella Falls Trail immediately begins climbing around a rocky bluff, passing under the first of several chairlifts that crisscross the area. Hood River Meadows, proper, spreads out below. Soon, the route levels off and passes through small meadows, passing a [[Sahale Falls-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|junction]] with the trail to [[Sahale Falls]] at the 1.7 mile mark. Keep straight, and at 2.0 miles, reach graceful [[Umbrella Falls]]. | + | The hike begins at the [[Elk Meadows Trailhead]]. From the trailhead, hike 0.3 miles through open forest to the well-signed [[Elk Meadows-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction]]. Turn left here; you’ll be returning on the other fork at the conclusion of this hike. The Umbrella Falls Trail immediately begins climbing around a rocky bluff, passing under the first of several chairlifts that crisscross the area. [[Hood River Meadows]], proper, spreads out below. Soon, the route levels off and passes through small meadows, passing a [[Sahale Falls-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|junction]] with the trail to [[Sahale Falls]] at the 1.7 mile mark. Keep straight, and at 2.0 miles, reach graceful [[Umbrella Falls]]. |
The route continues from Umbrella Falls through more meadows, then reaches the main access road to the Meadows resort. Cross the road, and look for the resumption of the Umbrella Falls trail a few yards uphill. The trail re-enters forest, then crosses rushing Mitchell Creek before traversing a sloping meadow waist-deep in giant hellebore. Soon, the trail reaches a broad crest, and curves through more meadows that are now dominated by lupine and goldenrod. Cross a small stream twice before reaching the junction with the [[Timberline-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|Timberline Trail]] at the 3.5 mile mark. | The route continues from Umbrella Falls through more meadows, then reaches the main access road to the Meadows resort. Cross the road, and look for the resumption of the Umbrella Falls trail a few yards uphill. The trail re-enters forest, then crosses rushing Mitchell Creek before traversing a sloping meadow waist-deep in giant hellebore. Soon, the trail reaches a broad crest, and curves through more meadows that are now dominated by lupine and goldenrod. Cross a small stream twice before reaching the junction with the [[Timberline-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction|Timberline Trail]] at the 3.5 mile mark. | ||
Revision as of 22:50, 26 August 2018
- Start point: Elk Meadows Trailhead
- Ending point: Heather Canyon
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 9.9 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 2055 feet
- High Point: 5,930 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: Summer and early Fall
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes - follows Timberline Trail
- Crowded: On summer weekends
Contents |
Hike Description
While most think of Paradise Park, Cairn Basin or Elk Cove as the most prolific wildflower gardens on the flanks of Mount Hood, the most expansive displays are found in the vicinity of Mount Hood Meadows. While the Meadows ski resort has expanded to cover much of the area, the trails remain surprisingly free of reminders that a throng of skiers that crowd the slopes here in winter. The massive display of wildflowers in July and August and series of pretty streams and waterfalls makes this a good destination even when clouds obscure the mountain.
The hike begins at the Elk Meadows Trailhead. From the trailhead, hike 0.3 miles through open forest to the well-signed Elk Meadows-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction. Turn left here; you’ll be returning on the other fork at the conclusion of this hike. The Umbrella Falls Trail immediately begins climbing around a rocky bluff, passing under the first of several chairlifts that crisscross the area. Hood River Meadows, proper, spreads out below. Soon, the route levels off and passes through small meadows, passing a junction with the trail to Sahale Falls at the 1.7 mile mark. Keep straight, and at 2.0 miles, reach graceful Umbrella Falls.
The route continues from Umbrella Falls through more meadows, then reaches the main access road to the Meadows resort. Cross the road, and look for the resumption of the Umbrella Falls trail a few yards uphill. The trail re-enters forest, then crosses rushing Mitchell Creek before traversing a sloping meadow waist-deep in giant hellebore. Soon, the trail reaches a broad crest, and curves through more meadows that are now dominated by lupine and goldenrod. Cross a small stream twice before reaching the junction with the Timberline Trail at the 3.5 mile mark.
Turn right on the Timberline Trail, and immediately cross a gravel access road before descending to a second crossing of Mitchell Creek. Here, the trail passes through more meadows and under three chairlifts before crossing the East Fork, just above Pencil Falls. The route continues a traverse through more meadows, under two more chairlifts, then around a broad crest to another stream crossing before passing under the final chairlift. Soon, the trail reaches the lip of Clark Creek Canyon at 5.3 miles. The route enters deep forest as it traverses the steep canyon walls, with occasional glimpses of Clark Creek, far below. Soon, the trail reaches beautiful Heather Creek, at the lip of the upper of three spectacular waterfalls. Cross carefully, then continue past a smaller trailside waterfall before reaching Clark Creek at 5.8 miles. Like all glacial streams, the flow here fluctuates wildly, and can make for tricky crossings on hot summer days.
After taking in the sprawling view of Mount Hood and the Newton Clark Glacier from Clark Creek, locate the continuation of the trail on the far side, somewhat downstream from the crossing point. The route now climbs the sandy slopes of an enormous moraine that is the largest on the mountain. From high on the slope, you can look back to the waterfalls of Heather Creek, before rounding the end of the moraine, and crossing into a smaller canyon.
Soon, reach the junction with the Newton Creek Trail at 6.8 miles. Turn right here, and begin a fascinating descent along a “ghost ridge” of ancient whitebark pines, some living, and some as bleached ghosts still standing against the elements. You will also have a nice view of rugged Lamberson Spur, forming the north wall of Newton Creek Canyon. After a couple of switchbacks, the trail continues through young forest at gentle grade as it follows Newton Creek downstream. Like Clark Creek, Newton Creek is formed by meltwater from the Newton Clark Glacier, but is the more unruly of the twin glacial streams. Newton Creek has been the scene of massive floods, as evidenced from periodic viewpoints of jumbled trees and boulders along the trail.
At 8.7 miles, reach the junction with the Elk Meadows Trail, and turn right, following this route over a bridge across Clark Creek and passing the Elk Meadows-Clark Creek Trail Junction. Make a couple of small stream crossings, pass the Elk Meadows-Umbrella Falls Trail Junction, and reach the trailhead at 9.9 miles.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required at Cloud Cap Trailhead
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Hood River Meadows
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Hood River Meadows
More Links
Page Contributors
- Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)
- User:Retiredjerry