Summary:
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There are several trails that lead to Paradise Park on the western slope
of Mt Hood. This particular hike travels what is known both as the Timberline Trail
and the Pacific Crest Trail. This is a long hike with considerable elevation loss and
gain. You drop and climb both getting to Paradise Park and returning.
This hike begins beside the parking lot of the Timberline Lodge ski area. You will walk
up a paved road behind the lodge for a short distance before coming to the actual trail.
Follow the trail to your left (west) and soon you will be on a natural surface and beginning
you first elevation loss. There are outstanding vistas at this point of the hike, but you
will soon descend into more heavily timbered areas with occasional views. After descending
into and climbing out of the Little Zig Zag Canyon, you will enter the Wilderness Area. A
short distance later you will come to the intersection of Trail #779 to Hidden Lake. In about
3/4 miles you will come to an awesome overlook of the impressive Zig Zag Canyon. If you
look carefully, you will be able to see alternate Trail #757 across the canyon from you.
Now you must descend into the canyon below you. You will drop nearly 700' before reaching
the river below. Crossing the Zig Zag River can be a real challenge, so be very careful.
After crossing the river you begin to regain all that elevation. You will come to the intersection
of Trail #757 before reaching the top of the ridge. You can take this route as it leads you
to the same place as the mapped route takes you. If you continue straight ahead you will
then come to the intersection of Trail #778. At this point, turn right on this trail and
follow it uphill to the place where it intersects Trail #757, the trail you crossed earlier
while climbing out of Zig Zag Canyon.
At this intersection, turn left and follow Trail #757. In a short distance you will cross
a small creek and to your left will be located one of the many stone shelters that have been
constructed around Mt Hood. This shelter was destroyed by a falling tree a number of years ago.
As you continue on your way around this loop trail, you will now climb through some of the
prettiest floral displays available on Mt Hood. Of course this depends on the season of your
hike, but generally the last of July thru the first of September is outstanding. Eventually
this trail meets up with the Timberline Trail #600 (also know as the Pacific Crest Trail #2000).
Turn left onto this trail and follow it back to Timberline Lodge, you point of origin. This hike
is one of the most outstanding hikes available on Mt Hood due to the beautiful floral displays
and incredible views of Mt Hood and the surrounding landscapes.
Also, Click Here for useful suggestions on river crossings.
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