VISTA RIDGE TRAILHEAD – CLOUD CAP

FEATURES: Elk Cove, under Coe Glacier, is one of the loveliest spots on the Timberline Trail: breathtaking meadows and whole hillsides alive and ablaze with beargrass, Indian paintbrush, and lupines; glades white with avalanche lilies; dramatic Eliot and Coe Glaciers.

DIFFICULTY: Strenuous (distance, elevation gain, two river crossings)

DISTANCE: 9.4 miles one way

ELEVATION GAIN: 2440 ft. if hiked clockwise from Vista Ridge Trailhead, 1060 ft.if hiked counterclockwise from Cloud Cap

MAPS: Mt Hood Wilderness Map; Green Trails, Mt Hood #462; USGS Mt Hood North

DESCRIPTION: This is one of the most dramatic and favorite segments of the Timberline Trail. Most people hike this section as a day hike from Cloud Cap, making peaceful Elk Cove their turn-around point. Doing this section as a car swap has the advantage of not having to retrace your steps in and out of the Coe River canyon. This segment has incredible views of the Eliot and Coe glaciers and sometimes challenging river crossings (when they are still covered with snow bridges). Overall, this segment arguably has the most sensational displays of wildflowers of any on the Timberline Trail, though admittedly this is a hard call because several of the other segments would come a close second.

CLOCKWISE OR COUNTERCLOCKWISE? Fortunately, there isn't much to choose between the two directions, so both participants in a car swap will come out equally well. There is about 1300 ft more elevation gain when hiking clockwise (from Vista Ridge to Cloud Cap) because of the access up the Vista Ridge Trail. The grade is very easy, however, and the trail has some very dramatic viewpoints that are more likely to be missed when hiking down Vista Ridge.

RIVER CROSSINGS: There are two potentially difficult river crossings on this segment, the Eliot and Coe Branches of the Middle Fork of the Hood River. The Forest Service places a bridge across the Eliot Branch early in the summer. This is a very turbulent and full river and may be difficult to ford without a bridge. Early in the summer there are snow bridges over both rivers. Take great care when crossing a snow bridge! Don’t do this if you are alone! If there isn’t a bridge, or snow bridge, it is probably best to go upstream until you can find a spot where the river isn’t too turbulent.

CAR SWAP OR CAR SHUTTLE: A car swap works better than a shuttle because the shuttle is very long, although by no means impossible. A shuttle will add about 1¸ hours at both ends of the day. If doing a car swap, the more rugged car should probably be left at the Vista Ridge Trailhead because the last 0.8 mile of the access road is very rough and rocky. Remember to take a spare car key for the other car in case you manage to miss each other on the trail.

For more details about this hike, buy the book: Around Mt. Hood in Easy Stages

TOM, DICK & HARRY MOUNTAIN LOOP

FEATURES: This is one of the most spectacular hikes in Oregon. The views are breathtaking in every direction and the flowers are abundant. This is not the hike for someone who prefers the well-trodden path, however; and it requires clear visibility.

DIFFICULTY: Strenuous (elevation gain; and indistinct, uneven trail in places)

DISTANCE: 6 mile loop, 4-5 hours

ELEVATION GAIN: 1660 ft. total rise

MAPS: USGS Government Camp Quadrangle

DESCRIPTION: A spectacular loop hike that includes Mirror Lake, the three summits of Tom, Dick and Harry Mountain and Ski Bowl. Mt. Hood towers to the north; the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness and Mt. Jefferson, Three Sisters, and Broken Top to the south. The hike starts on the Mirror Lake trail and finishes at Ski Bowl so it does require a short (0.6 mile) car shuttle or walk along Hwy 26. This hike is ranked as strenuous because there is an appreciable elevation gain, the trail is indistinct for part of the way, and the trail down Upper Ski Bowl is steep and uneven.

ACCESS: From the Summit Rest Area at the far (east) end of the Government Camp business loop, drive 2.2 miles west on Hwy 26 to the trailhead for Mirror Lake on the left (south) side of the road beside the creek, between mileposts 51 and 52.

CAR SHUTTLE: You can leave one car at Ski Bowl West, and the other at the Mirror Lake Trail Head, about .6 miles apart. If you don't have a shuttle, you'll need to bridge this gap on foot at the end of your hike.

THE HIKE: The trail starts on the far side of the creek, over a footbridge. Follow the trail 1.6 miles to Mirror Lake, take the right fork just before the lake, and the next right fork signed to Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain. The viewpoint at one of the three summits of Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain is 1.6 miles further, on a well-maintained trail that climbs at a steady grade. After this viewpoint the trail becomes quite indistinct - especially where it goes over rocks. If you stay just below the ridge, you won't go wrong, though. Keep following the ridge as it cimbs to the third summit of Tom, Dick & Harry Mountain - the western limit of Ski Bowl runs. From there, the trail follows a ski trail to the top of the Upper Bowl chairlift. When it joins a service road at a green metal building (just before the last bend before the top of the chairlift), turn right and follow this road down for about ¼ mile to where the top of the Upper Bowl is close to the road. Next, take the steep Upper Bowl mountain bike trail down the east side (right side, facing down) of the Upper Bowl and continue down to the signed mountain bike trails to the Day Lodge. (Be sure to yield the trail to mountain bikes on the roads and trails marked for their use at Ski Bowl - they have the right of way.)

For more details about this hike, buy the book: Hikes & Walks on Mt. Hood