Tri-County Ridge Snowshoe Hike

Overview

This popular trip involves an easy 1.2 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, then an 0.4 mile cross-country climb to a fine viewpoint atop Tri-County Ridge. Save this hike for a clear day, both to enjoy the magnificent views from Tri-County Ridge and because foggy conditions can make the cross-country segment confusing (Special note: in several printed guides, this destination is identified as "Ghost Ridge". However, because this name is already formally given to a ridge on the north side of Mount Hood, this guide uses "Tri-County Ridge", which draws from the junction of Clackamas, Wasco and Hood River counties near the summit of the ridge. This informal name was selected in a Portland Hikers.org user poll in February 2010). Begin the trip at the east corner of the Sno-Park, immediately encountering a forest of trail signs marking this very busy trailhead. Look for the large, faded wood relief map, and follow the trail to the right of the sign, almost immediately seeing a familiar Pacific Crest Trail marker on a tree a few feet up the trail. Blue diamonds also mark this as a cross-country ski trail, so to the extent possible, snowshoe to the side of well-defined ski tracks. The trail meanders along the broad crest of the divide that forms Barlow Pass, heading in a southwest direction. Because of the popularity of the trail, it's unlikely that you will have trouble finding the route, but watch for blazes and ski diamonds, as needed. After a mile of gentle climbing along the ridge crest, you will have pocket views into the Barlow Creek canyon and across to rugged Barlow Butte. Soon, you will reach a critical navigational point: the trail begins to noticeably traverse along the east face of the ridge, then begins a gradual descent. At this point, watch closely for ribbons marking the cross-country portion of the hike, on the right (uphill) side of the trail -- with luck, you'll see snowshoe prints marking the route, too. If you find yourself heading downhill for any significant distance, simply backtrack t

Trail Stats

Photos

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