Waterfalls, last weekend of summer, one of the prettiest lakes in the Mt. Hood area and a mountain to climb – – – this hike had it all, and good weather to boot.
After walking through a stile I followed the pleasant trail along Burnt Creek for several miles before crossing the Creek. I began to spot old burnt-out cedars serving as reminders of a severe forest fire in the 1800s. One of the cedars was almost 12 feet across at the base.
In the next one-half mile I came to Lost Creek Falls, a series of four waterfalls in a small canyon. After climbing the headwall on the well-graded trail, I reached Burnt Lake. A hazy (smoke from wildfires) Mt. Hood dominated the scenery behind the Lake.
The next mile of the trail passed another small lake before reaching the Zigzag Mountain Trail. Soon I was at the 4,971-foot summit of East Zigzag Mountain. The views were extraordinary in all directions with Mt. Hood seemingly close enough to touch.
What a beautiful place to be and only 44 miles from Portland as the raven flies.
Mt. Hood from East Zigzag Mountain (Reid Glacier on left and Paradise Park in lower right)
Burnt Lake
Leaves are beginning to fall
Large Cedar snag from a wild fire in the 1800’s
Rosy Spirea
Reflections in Burnt Lake
Approach trail to the summit of E. Zigzag Mountain
Dominant trees above 4,000′ (Noble Fir on left and Mountain Hemlock on right)
Rock cairns marking the summit of East Zigzag Mountain
Burnt Lake
Sure sign of autumn (Fireweed has finished blooming)
Love them all, but, Leaves are beginning to fall and Fireweed are my favorites
Yes John this is right above our cabin on the Zig Zag River. What was your total milage?
It’s about 10 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain around 2,500′. This time of year it’s a very nice hike.