Elk Cove Hike

Overview

The Elk Cove Trail #631 is the longest approach trail to the Timberline Trail on the north side of Mount Hood. However, this is a much quieter alternative route to Elk Cove that avoids the crowds and bumpy access roads of the Vista Ridge and Cloud Cap approaches. The trail route was thoroughly scorched in the 2011 Dollar Lake Fire, and the forest suffered crown fire for most of the trail’s length. That means there’s little shade, but there are more views (Mount Hood will be in sight for most of the hike), and you’ll be able to observe the recovery process from a severe forest fire. The first 1 ¼ miles of the Elk Cove Trail follows decommissioned Road 6840-650 to the former trailhead. Past the trailhead signs, you'll step over a berm to cross Pinnacle Creek, which is usually a rock hop by mid-summer (the bridge here was destroyed a number of years ago). Then follow the road bed, which is being crowded by slide alder on this lower section. Up to the right are the snag-populated slopes of the Dollar Lake Burn. Where culverts were removed, you’ll need to drop into little dips. The road makes a sharp turn to the right and now young lodgepole pine and manzanita bushes grow on the verge. Views open up west to Vista Ridge and both Owl Point and Katsuk Point become visible. The Pinnacle stands out on Pinnacle Ridge, across the valley of Pinnacle Creek. The route leaves the road at some downed trees, and passes a trail sign. Switchback up five times in a shady patch of Douglas-firs that experienced no crown fire, and then traverse up onto the crest of the ridge, which was thoroughly burned. A variety of sun-loving plants have colonized the burn here, including Scouler’s willow, bracken, western larch, lodgepole pine, chinquapin, and snow brush. Most of these will disappear when a dense canopy reestablishes itself in a few decades. Hike in and out of crown fire zones on the flank of the ridge, getting a clear view up to Mount Hood at times. Higher up, you can see east to the Mill Creek Buttes and Shellrock Mountain on

Trail Stats

Photos

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