1.4 hr
Overview
This hike follows a surprisingly uncrowded section of the Pacific Crest Trail from Lolo Pass to the Timberline Trail, and then a nearly forgotten lookout trail to the summit of Bald Mountain. From Bald Mountain, you'll not only be treated with a stunning view of Mount Hood, but will also see traces of an old fire lookout that stood here in the 1940s. You'll likely have the summit to yourself. From the Lolo Pass Trailhead, follow the Pacific Crest Trail south through a recovering clearcut; then enter a handsome, mature forest and begin climbing a steep ridge through a series of well-graded switchbacks. At the 1.6 mile mark, the trail traverses around the the north slope of the ridge and then switchbacks to the southwest side of the ridge. Another traverse eventually meets the ridge top and descends briefly before reaching the junction with the Top Spur Trail at the three-mile mark. Walk just a few feet beyond this junction and immediately arrive at a somewhat confusing junction of four trails. The trail to the right, and downhill, is the continuation of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) and is marked with a sign to Timberline Lodge. The route to the left is the northward section of the Timberline Trail (#600), with a sign to Cairn Basin. The trail straight ahead, and uphill, is the southbound section of the Timberline Trail (#600), with a sign to the Muddy Fork, and is the route to Bald Mountain. From the registration box at the junction, continue on the Timberline Trail toward the Muddy Fork for about 450 feet, and then watch for an unsigned trail heading left and uphill between two large trees (ignoring another boot path just beyond the junction, near a large stump, that dead-ends in the brush). This is the historic Bald Mountain Trail. Follow this rustic path over a couple of logs as you climb parallel to and above the Timberline Trail. After a few hundred feet, switchback left, and soon reach the more open forest on the slopes of Bald Mountain. The tread is always obvious, though you'll step over a number o
Trail Stats
0.0 km
426 m
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Photos
BaldMountainLoloPassHike.jpg
BaldMountainLoloPassHike.jpg
188px-BaldMountainFrost
188px-BaldMountainFrost
250px-BaldMountainLoloSky
250px-BaldMountainLoloSky
250px-Turtle_head%2C_Bald_Mountain
250px-Turtle_head%2C_Bald_Mountain
400px-BaldMountainViewWide
400px-BaldMountainViewWide