Paradise Park from Timberline Lodge Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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Short Hike to Zigzag Canyon Overlook:
- Trailhead: Timberline Lodge Trailhead
- Distance: 4.4 miles round-trip to Zigzag Canyon
- Elevation Gain: 660 feet
- High Point: 6,080 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Summer and early Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
- Crowded: Summer weekends
Long Hike to Paradise Park:
- Trailhead: Timberline Lodge Trailhead
- Distance: 11.2 miles round-trip to Paradise Park
- Elevation Gain: 1,980 feet
- High Point: 6,080 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: Summer and early Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
- Backpackable: Yes - follows the Timberline Trail
- Crowded: Summer weekends to Zigzag Canyon overlook
Description
Paradise Park is best known for its wildflower displays in July and August, but this hike is a classic mountain trek on many levels. In addition to the mountain vistas and wildflowers, the route passes several waterfalls and offers unique views of the high country south and west of Mount Hood. Though popular, the crowds thin out at the daunting lip of the Zigzag Canyon, and the trail is rarely crowded on weekdays. The trip also has the distinction of beginning at Timberline Lodge, which offers overnight lodging and meals.
There is a maze of nature trails surrounding Timberline Lodge. Pick any on the east side of the lodge, and climb uphill to the generally well-signed Timberline Trail (no. 600), which is also the Pacific Crest Trail (no. 2000) along this stretch. Turn left, and pass above the lodge and under chairlifts as the trail gradually descends through meadows. Though the cliffs of Mount Hood are ever-present above, the view also includes Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters, to the south.
At 1.2 miles, the trail makes a brief descent into rocky Little Zigzag Canyon, an easy, bridgeless crossing. For the next mile, the trail descends into forest, passing the Hidden Lake Trail (no. 779) on the left, then curving across a series off sloping meadows before suddenly reaching the lip of gaping Zigzag Canyon at 2.2 miles. The view includes the meadows of Paradise Park, across the canyon, and rugged Mississippi Head, the mesa-like formation at the head of the canyon.
From this airy viewpoint, the trail quickly descends a cool, forested slope for one mile to the bottom of Zigzag Crossing. The stream is generally easy to cross without wet feet, but can occasionally present an obstacle during periods of heavy snowmelt. Be sure to look upstream for dramatic Zigzag Falls, which often forms snow caves at its base.
From the canyon floor, the trail climbs steadily, crossing a side stream, then reaching a junction with the Paradise Park Loop Trail at 3.6 miles. Turn right here (you will be returning on the other fork) and continue climbing through switchbacks that soon reach the sprawling alpine meadows of Paradise Park. Cross Lost Creek at the 5 mile mark, then the remains of the Paradise Park shelters in a grove of ancient mountain hemlock. The route continues to the right here, curving through exceptionally scenic meadows, punctuated by rocky bluffs and Mount Hood towering above. There are also excellent views of the rugged Zigzag Mountain arm of the Mount Hood Wilderness, to the west, and the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, to the southwest.
After crossing the headwaters of Rushing Water Creek, the loop trail comes within a few hundred feet of Paradise Branch canyon, before turning downhill in a switchback to the main Timberline Trail. If you have the energy and interest, walk through low alpine scrub and meadows to the edge of the canyon for a sweeping view of Mount Hood, Reid Glacier and several waterfalls on the Paradise Branch.
After taking in the view, return to the main trail, and begin a gradual decent back to the Pacific Crest Trail, reaching a well-marked junction at 6 miles. Turn left, and curve through a mix of forests and small meadows, passing a tall, wispy waterfall on Rushing Water Creek, and a pair of energetic waterfalls on Paradise and Lost creeks, at the 7 mile mark. From here, the route gradually descends through forest to the junction with the Paradise Park Trail (no. 778) at 7.6 miles, then another 0.2 miles to the earlier junction with the Paradise Park Loop Trail. Retrace your steps here for the remaining 3.6 miles to the trailhead at Timberline Lodge.
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