1.2 hr
Overview
The maze of trails in the Elk Meadows area offers so many hiking options that it’s hard to decide which to explore first. This hike describes the shortest and most popular route. You'll cross glacial streams, encounter old-growth Douglas-firs and mountain hemlocks, and get picturesque vistas to Mount Hood itself. The trail is lined with wildflowers in mid-summer and ripe huckleberries in late August. The Elk Meadows Trail itself extends all the way to the Polallie Trailhead, but its southern section, now obliterated by highway construction, ended at Bennett Pass. The trail was built in the early 20th century. From the trailhead, go northeast on the Elk Meadows Trail #645. The trail travels through forested huckleberry flats for a short distance before passing a trail on the left that leads to the Mt. Hood Meadows Nordic Center. After this, reach the marked junction with the Umbrella Falls Trail #667, which comes in from the left (northwest). You’ll notice blue Nordic ski route markers along this section of trail. These ski trails are perpendicular to the Umbrella Falls Trail so if you just keep going straight you should be alright. Continue straight on the Elk Meadows Trail to another trail junction and the log bridge with handrails over the rushing waters of Clark Creek. Cross straight across the bridge to enter the Mount Hood Wilderness. Keep hiking across the shallow slope, crossing two small creeks and then one larger stream on stepping stones. Reach a junction with the Newton Creek Trail #646 on the left at the one mile mark. Keep straight a short distance to the silty torrent of Newton Creek. There is no bridge to help you here, though in early summer trail workers usually pile a few logs to form a makeshift crossing. Step carefully - hiking poles are recommended to keep your balance (See Tips for Crossing Streams). Clark and Newton Creeks are the twin glacial streams formed by the broad Newton Clark Glacier, which dominates the view of Mount Hood throughout the hike. Newton Creek, in particular, is
Trail Stats
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365 m
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Photos
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