As of June 2021, the Timberline Trail between Yocum Ridge and the Muddy Fork is closed because of damage from the September 2020 wind storm. SAR has had to rescue people. Use the PCT to do the lower crossing of the Muddy Fork instead. The hike around Mount Hood is one of the best hikes in the area. You get great views of Mount Hood, and of the surrounding territory including Cascade volcanoes such as Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Jefferson, and the Three Sisters. You can see the Coast Range to the west. You can see Portland and the Willamette River. You can see the Columbia River. You can see the desert to the east. It's really interesting to see how the plants and geology vary as you go as low as 3300' by Ramona Falls through deep forest to barren lava flows as high as 7300' on the east side of the mountain. Most people take 4 days and 3 nights, beginning and ending at Timberline Lodge, and go clockwise. A number of other alternatives are mentioned below. The detailed description is the same regardless of how you do it. At a few places there are several choices of route which can make the hike a little shorter or longer. Compared to the "Dilbert World" we're used to, it's refreshing to get into the routine of getting up in the morning, eating, packing up, hiking several stretches with rest stops, finding a place to get water and camp, and repeating. Anyone that has the opportunity should do this hike at least once. You might like it so much that you want to try a longer trip such as the trail around the Three Sisters, the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier, or thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. As usual, mileages can differ between sources. These mileages are from a GPS track. Sometimes a trail is re-routed which can change mileages. These will at least give you an approximate value. These were updated September 2016. Start at the top of the parking area to the East of Timberline Lodge at elevation 5900 feet. Go West, below/in front of Timberline Lodge. If you haven't be
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