Mount Hood from the road to Vista Ridge Trailhead (Tom Kloster)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 45.442, -121.7255
• Elevation: 4500'

Hikes starting here

• Cairn Basin from Vista Ridge Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Elk Cove from Vista Ridge Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Owl Point from Vista Ridge Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

The Vista Ridge Trailhead is east of Lolo Pass, and is the starting point for several hikes on the scenic north side of Mount Hood. There is no water or restroom here, nor good campsites at the trailhead.

Fees & Regulations

• Northwest Forest Pass required

Driving Directions

The Vista Ridge Trailhead can be reached from Lolo Pass Road.

Drive to the community of Zigzag on U.S. 26 which is 18 miles East of Sandy and 10 miles West of Government Camp.

From Zigzag, go North on the Lolo Pass Road, then drive 10.5 miles to Lolo Pass, and the end of pavement. Turn right onto gravel Road 1810 at Lolo Pass, and continue for several dusty miles before reaching pavement again, and a junction with Road 16 at 7.7 miles. Turn sharply right, and follow this switchbacking paved route past several overgrown logging spurs to a very wide t-intersection with Road 1650. Turn right onto this gravel spur, which winds up the shoulder of Blue Ridge, passing still more overgrown spurs, generally on the right. When in doubt, stay left and headed uphill at the unmarked junctions. An enticing view of Mount Hood unfolds just as you approach the trailhead, foreshadowing the trip ahead. Parking can be tight where the road abruptly ends at the trailhead, so be prepared to backtrack and park along the shoulder.

[Note: the following alternative route is currently closed due to a bridge washout in the November 2006 floods] Alternatively, take highway 35 South from Hood River, turn right on the road marked for Cooper Spur, after the curves, at the stop sign, turn right on Baseline to Parkdale, go through Parkdale, turn right on Secondary Rd., turn left on Red Hill Rd. which turns into Forest Service Rd. 16, turn left onto Road 1650, then follow the instructions above.

Page Contributors

• Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)
• User:retiredjerry