Pacific Crest Trail

The hike begins by a short climb to the Pacific Crest Trail.  The next several miles are very scenic with spectacular views of the summit and extending all the way to Mt. Jefferson. Then the trail begins quickly dropping to the bottom of Zigzag Canyon.

Paradise Park

The PCT crosses Zigzag Creek (which can be a difficult ford at times) and commences a steep climb out of the Canyon. At the canyon rim the PCT meets the Paradise Park Loop Trail, leading to Paradise Park at about 4 1/2 miles.

The meadows are roughly the same elevation as Timberline Lodge and seemingly stretch as far as the eye can see. When the wildflowers are in bloom, the areas are covered with bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and fellow hikers.

PCT

Mississippi Head from PCT

Wild Lily, Butterfly and Monkeyflower

Mississippi Head

Now it is time to begin a steep, rugged, mostly off-trail, six-mile hike back to the Lodge. A faint mountain climbers’ path leads up through the meadows before hitting the glacial moraine below Zigzag Glacier. The next stretch is only for seasoned hikers. The route requires one to steeply climb over melting snow fields, and rock and debris left by the retreating glacier.

The first goal is to pass over 7,200-foot Mississippi Head, a large, dark rock formation visible from Portland. Afteer climbing another 1,000 feet, one can cross above the deep chasm of Big Zigzag Canyon. At this point the summit of Mt. Hood is only 3,000 feet above and looks close enough to touch. On a nice day the front-row views are amazing of Zigzag Glacier, Illumination Rock and the varying hues of the Mountain’s summit.

Timberline Lodge

Now the hike turns east, requiring careful walking over the snowfields and the glacier, and climbing up and down over the fields of rocks until reaching the climbers’ trail on the south side of the Mountain next to the Palmer lift.

It is an easy walk from there to return to the Lodge, clearly visible almost 2,000 feet below.

All in all, the hike is 11.5 miles in length with 3,200 feet of elevation gain. A fantastic summertime outing!

Beargrass in Paradise Park

2,000 feet in elevation above the Lodge

Sights to see on way down to Lodge