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 Click for PDF Topo Map of this Hike 

This is very likely the most challenging of all the hikes on my Mt. Hood CD. What makes this hike special is that it is so remote. I've done the hike twice and neither time did I yet own a digital camera, so my photos are not very presentable. Nevertheless, I just couldn't leave this special hike off this new CD and I hope you still appreciate and enjoy what I can present.

The hike to Yocum Ridge begins just as if you were going to Ramona Falls. You start at the same trailhead parking area and walk along the Sandy River until you reach the place where the Forest Service sets up its temporary summer crossing.

As with the hike to Ramona Falls, you have two choices after crossing the Sandy River as to how you get to the junction to Yocum near the falls. Which ever way you choose to reach Ramona, just to the west of the bridge over the creek that creates the falls, is the junction that used to be the Pacific Crest Trail and Trail #797 which you have used to reach this point. I assume the trail is now referred to as Trail #600, or the Timberline Trail which goes completely around Mt. Hood.

It is a little over a half mile climb up Trail #600 to the junction of Trail #771, which is the Yocum Ridge trail. Follow this trail as it climbs through heavily forested areas for about a mile and you will come to a stand of very large old growth trees. They are very impressive. Just after this the trail begins to switchback as it climbs steeply for another mile and a half. The trail skirts a small tarn but it doesn't appear safe to drink.

In another half mile you will come to a small creek, which might be your last chance at good water, depending on the time of year you are hiking. As you continue to climb about another mile or so, you will break out into open areas with spectacular views of Mt. Hood and the Zig Zag River Canyon below you. The trail switchbacks to the west and takes you around the ridge itself and onto the north face. Again, depending on what time of year you hike this, there could be alot of snow. The actual trail pretty much ends here, but the area is so open that you can continue to climb up along the ridge toward Mt. Hood for at least another mile.

It is very likely that you will find drinkable water on this north face as you make your way up to the more level areas just in front of Mt. Hood itself. I camped at this spot by just rolling my sleeping bag out on the ground and basking in the fantastic beauty around me. You will most likely hear rocks and ice falling from the mountain as the summer melt continues. I wouldn't go much further than this open and comparatively level area because of the danger of rock/ice fall.