Features:

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 Click for PDF Topo Map of this Hike 

This wonderful little hike begins a the Timberline Lodge parking lot. Just walk uphill on the paved service road to the east of the lodge to the sign marked Pacific Crest Trail. Bear left at this point and follow the trail west through the Mt Hood Ski Area. After about a half mile, you will be out of the ski area and surrounded by lots of extreme scenery.

The trail wanders up and down through small valleys with snow fed streams. In season the trail is lined with large amounts of Lupine, Paintbrush, and Asters. With frequent views of Mt Hood, and Mt Jefferson to the south, you will never run out of vistas to enjoy.

At about a mile you need to sign in as you will now enter the Mt Hood Wilderness. Soon you come to the junction of the trail to Hidden Lake far below you. The trail then enters more of a timbered area and does a few small switchbacks as you descend to your goal.

The last few hundred yards is a bit uphill as you climb out of one of the snow fed valleys and reach the saddle that makes what we call the Zig Zag Canyon Overlook. If you walk just a bit further, you will find another excellent vantage point where lots of photos are in order before you begin your climb back up to Timberline Lodge and that comfy vehicle that brought you here.