My vehicle was the only one parked at the Mt. Hood Wilderness Trailhead. It was a very pretty morning near the autumnal equinox a few years ago.

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 reflection of Mt. Hood in the Lake was spectacular.

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 reflected in Burnt Lake

Burnt Lake

My hiking poles dwarfed by a huge burnt stump

Great Hedge-nettle

Near top of East Zigzag Mountain

Mt. Hood above Burnt Lake