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Difference between revisions of "Zigzag Overlook"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

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** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Timberline Lodge Trailhead|hike=Paradise Park from Timberline Lodge Hike|log=Paradise Park from Timberline Lodge Hike/Log|previous=Pacific Crest-Hidden Lake Trail Junction|next=Zigzag River Crossing}}
 
** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Timberline Lodge Trailhead|hike=Paradise Park from Timberline Lodge Hike|log=Paradise Park from Timberline Lodge Hike/Log|previous=Pacific Crest-Hidden Lake Trail Junction|next=Zigzag River Crossing}}
 
** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Timberline Lodge Trailhead|hike=Timberline Trail around Mount Hood Hike|log=Timberline Trail around Mount Hood Hike/Log|previous=Pacific Crest-Hidden Lake Trail Junction|next=Zigzag River Crossing}}
 
** {{Hike ring|trailhead=Timberline Lodge Trailhead|hike=Timberline Trail around Mount Hood Hike|log=Timberline Trail around Mount Hood Hike/Log|previous=Pacific Crest-Hidden Lake Trail Junction|next=Zigzag River Crossing}}
{{maplinkinfo|latitude=45.3422|longitude=-121.7412}}
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{{Elevation|5500 feet}}
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{{maplinkinfo|latitude=45.3423|longitude=-121.7409}}
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{{Elevation|5460 feet}}
  
 
=== Description ===
 
=== Description ===
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=== More Links ===
 
=== More Links ===
* [http://www.nwhiker.com/MHNFHike21.html Hike #21 on NWHiker.com]
 
 
* [http://adamschneider.net/photos/2005-07-tl/ Wildflower photos on AdamSchneider.net]
 
* [http://adamschneider.net/photos/2005-07-tl/ Wildflower photos on AdamSchneider.net]
 
* [http://www.mounthoodhistory.com/mhhnatural.html www.mounthoodhistory.com]
 
* [http://www.mounthoodhistory.com/mhhnatural.html www.mounthoodhistory.com]

Revision as of 20:22, 11 June 2016

Mount Hood and the massive Zigzag Canyon from the Zigzag Overlook (Tom Kloster)
Offtrail route going up from Zigzag Overlook (Jerry Adams)
Glacier map of Mount Hood from the USGS (see link below for source)

Description

The Zigzag Overlook provides an awe-inspiring view of the magnificent Zigzag Canyon and a classic, postcard view of the Mount Hood summit, with the Zigzag Glacier and Illumination Rock in plain view. It's only 2.2 miles from Timberline Lodge so it's not uncommon to see droves of casual visitors hiking along the Timberline Trail to this vista. Certainly, on a clear summer day, it is a great, family-friendly hike from the lodge trailhead - and it introduces quite a bit of of the alpine splendor that backpackers and tourists alike come to appreciate.

This point is also a popular resting spot for Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers and Timberline Trail backpackers, who commonly stop here before descending some 500 feet deep into the canyon, then ascend another 1000 vertical feet back out as they make their way towards Paradise Park. You can see why the canyon traverse turns away most casual hikers!

Looking up from the Zigzag Overlook, you can see the Zigzag Glacier, which is the source of the Zigzag River. The Zigzag River flows into the Sandy River and eventually out to the Columbia (near Troutdale, OR).

From www.mounthoodhistory.com:

The Zigzag Glacier originates in the crater between Crater Rock and Hawkins Cliff below Illumination Rock. This was the first glacier on Mt. Hood to be trod upon by the white man when Joel Palmer climbed the slope in 1845. The Zigzag Glacier today has receded vastly. It drains into the Zigzag River, Lost Creek, and Rushing Water Creek.

There an off-trail route that can give you a more up-close-and-personal view of the glacier and the rest of the uphill geologic features. It is a difficult, unmaintained footpath up and across to a point at 8000 foot elevation. The trail switchbacks back down towards Mississippi Head, and eventually back down toward Paradise Park. It is not a recommended route except for experienced hikers, - and then only in optimum weather conditions.

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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.