Waterfalls, one of the prettiest lakes in the Mt. Hood area and a mountain to climb – – – this hike had it all, and good weather too.
After walking through a stile I followed the pleasant trail along Burnt Creek for several miles before crossing the Creek. Old burnt-out cedars were scattered along the trail 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 very scenic Burnt 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.
Burnt Lake
Vanilla Leaf
Mt. Hood rising above Burnt Lake – – – the view from near the summit of E. Zigzag Mountain
Mt. Hood above Burnt Lake
Huckleberry leaves with their autumn colors
The summit approach to E. Zigzag Mountain
Burnt Lake
Reid Glacier on Mt. Hood
Old trail sign in the Mt. Hood Wilderness
McNeil Point, Yokum Ridge, Paradise Park and Mississippi Head on the flanks of Mt. Hood
Wow, does that huckleberry turn red! It must be really pretty to see a whole meadow of it in the fall. Looks like a terrific hike!
Thanks. It’s a great hike in the late summer and early fall. One of my favorites!