Zigzag Overlook Hike

Overview

The hike to the Zigzag Overlook from Timberline Lodge an easy outing that gives you a good feel for the alpine areas of Mount Hood's south side. This is a pleasant - but very popular - hike for visitors to Timberline Lodge who aren't into a major excursion. You'll pass across alpine and subalpine meadows to reach an overlook over the deeply gouged Zigzag River Canyon, with the craggy ramparts of Mount Hood always above. From the parking area, walk west above the day lodge and continue through the parking lot for Timberline Lodge. After passing below the lodge's swimming pool, follow a maintenance road a short distance past the Magic Mile chair lift to a trail junction under the Jeff Flood-Still Creek chair lift. Keep straight here on the Mountaineer Trail #798. The path will take you into a subalpine woodland of mountain hemlock and subalpine fir, crossing a couple of small gullies to arrive at the Mountaineer-Timberline to Town Trail Junction. Stay straight (right) here, and rise under the Stormin’ Norman chair lift to cross the Kruser ski run and traverse through more mountain hemlock parklands. You'll pass a short spur to the site of the old Timberline Cabin, where a few broken pieces of the chimney remain, and soon reach the the four-way Timberline-Mountaineer Trail West Junction. Turn left at the junction, and cross a draw blooming with partridge-foot before hiking into the small Sand Canyon. Then, at 1.2 miles, switchback into Little Zigzag Canyon. You'll arrive at a wilderness permit box and a map board. Pass the Mt. Hood Wilderness sign and descend in silver fir/mountain hemlock forest to reach the junction with the Hidden Lake Trail (No. 779). There is a campsite (but no drinking water) below the trail just before this junction. Soon, you'll cross a spring by the trail and can admire the lush meadow on the steep slope below. Descend into a deep, dry gully, head up its shady west side in mountain hemlock/silver fir woods and, at 2.2 miles, come to the Zigzag Overlook at the edge of Zigzag Canyon. The

Trail Stats

Photos

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400px-ZigzagOverlookMap

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250px-Lupinefield

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250px-Sand_Canyon

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250px-Dwarf_mountain_lupine_%28Lupinus_lyallii%29%2C_Timberline_Lodge

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250px-Timberline_Lodge

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400px-ParadiseParkZigzagCanyon

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