Overview
The Timberline Trail is a 41.1-mile loop that circles Mount Hood, Oregon's highest peak at 11,250 feet. It's widely considered one of the best backpacking routes in the Pacific Northwest, and for good reason: the trail passes through old-growth forest, subalpine meadows, glacial moraines, and volcanic moonscapes, all while keeping the mountain in view for much of the journey. Individual day hikes like McNeil Point, Elk Meadows, and Mirror Lake all connect to or pass through sections of this loop.
The trail was completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938 and follows a path between roughly 3,500 and 7,300 feet in elevation. Over its full loop, you'll gain approximately 9,000 feet of cumulative elevation, cross several glacial rivers (some without bridges), and pass through five ecological zones. The trail shares about 7 miles of tread with the Pacific Crest Trail on the west side, between Ramona Falls and Timberline Lodge.
Most hikers complete the loop in 3 to 5 days. Strong day hikers occasionally push through in a single push, but that's a 14- to 18-hour effort better suited for ultrarunners than casual hikers. Plan for a backpacking trip. You'll be glad you did.
The Route
The standard starting point is Timberline Lodge, at 5,960 feet on the south side of Mount Hood. Most hikers go clockwise (heading west first), but the direction doesn't matter much. Here's a clockwise breakdown.
Day 1: Timberline Lodge to Ramona Falls (12 miles)
From the lodge, the trail heads west along the upper mountain, passing through alpine meadows and crossing the headwaters of the Zigzag River (usually manageable by late July). You'll traverse the Zigzag Canyon, which involves a steep 600-foot descent and climb. This section was rerouted after a major washout and remains one of the more demanding stretches.
The trail then descends through forest toward Paradise Park, one of the trip's highlights. In late July and early August, the meadows here are thick with lupine, beargrass, Indian paintbrush, and avalanche lilies. Below Paradise Park, the trail joins the Pacific Crest Trail and continues north to Ramona Falls, a 120-foot cascade over mossy basalt. Several good campsites sit near the falls.
Day 2: Ramona Falls to Elk Cove (12 miles)
Leaving Ramona Falls, the trail heads north and east, crossing the Sandy River on a seasonal footbridge. The route passes through old-growth forest and climbs gradually toward Bald Mountain. You'll cross Muddy Fork, which can run high and fast in the afternoon on warm days. This is one of the trickier crossings on the route.
The trail continues through Wy'east Basin and over the flanks of Barrett Spur, with views of Coe and Ladd Glaciers. Elk Cove, tucked in a meadow basin at about 5,800 feet, is one of the most scenic camps on the entire loop. Camping is regulated here: use designated sites and camp at least 200 feet from the meadow edges.
Day 3: Elk Cove to Cloud Cap (8 miles)
This is the shortest day in terms of distance but contains the most challenging river crossings. Coe Branch and Eliot Branch are both glacial streams that run milky gray with sediment. Neither has a bridge. Water levels are lowest in the early morning (before 10 AM) and highest in the late afternoon. Time your crossings accordingly.
Between the crossings, the trail passes through Eliot Creek's glacial outwash, a stark landscape of volcanic rock and gray sand. Cloud Cap Inn (a historic structure, not a lodge) sits at 5,960 feet on the northeast side of the mountain. The nearby Tilly Jane area has several campsites.
Day 4: Cloud Cap to Timberline Lodge (10 miles)
The final stretch heads south along the east side of the mountain, passing through Newton Creek (another major crossing), Gnarl Ridge (excellent views of Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters on clear days), and White River Canyon. The White River crossing is typically the last significant obstacle before the trail climbs back up to Timberline Lodge.
The approach to the lodge from the east passes through alpine terrain above treeline, with the Palmer Snowfield and Silcox Hut visible above. Finishing at Timberline Lodge means you can celebrate with a meal and a drink in a building that's been welcoming hikers since 1937.
River Crossings
This deserves its own section because river crossings are the defining challenge and primary hazard of the Timberline Trail.
Five major glacial streams cross the route: Sandy River, Muddy Fork, Coe Branch, Eliot Branch, and Newton Creek. The Sandy River usually has a seasonal footbridge (installed around late June, removed in October). The others do not.
Key facts about glacial crossings:
- Water levels fluctuate daily. Glacial melt accelerates as temperatures rise. Cross before 10 AM when flows are at their lowest.
- The water is cold. Painfully cold. Around 34 to 40 degrees. Bring water shoes or sandals with straps so you're not crossing barefoot.
- Current is stronger than it looks. The milky water makes it impossible to see the bottom. Use trekking poles for stability and unbuckle your hip belt so you can ditch your pack if you fall.
- Conditions change year to year. A crossing that was knee-deep last year might be waist-deep this year, or the channel might have shifted entirely. Check recent trip reports on sites like Oregon Hikers Forum or AllTrails before you go.
If a crossing looks unsafe, it is. Wait for morning, find an alternate crossing point upstream, or turn back. Drownings have occurred on this trail.
What to Expect
Terrain: The trail is well-maintained overall, but sections through glacial outwash areas (Eliot Creek, White River) can be washed out or rerouted. Expect steep descents and climbs at every major canyon: Zigzag Canyon, Sandy River Canyon, and Newton Creek Canyon.
Water sources: Abundant, but most streams carry glacial sediment. For clear water, look for side streams and springs rather than the main glacial rivers. A filter that handles sediment (or a gravity system you can let settle first) works best. Chemical treatment is fine for clear streams.
Campsites: Designated and established sites exist every 5 to 8 miles. The most popular camps are at Ramona Falls, Elk Cove, Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane, and near the PCT junction on the west side. Fires are prohibited in the wilderness above 4,800 feet. Below that elevation, check current fire restrictions.
Wildlife: Bears are present but not a major concern if you hang your food or use a bear canister. More likely encounters include pikas at higher elevations, gray jays at camp, and deer in the meadows. Follow the Leave No Trace 7 Principles throughout, especially at high-use camps like Ramona Falls and Elk Cove where concentrated impact is visible.
Weather: Mountain weather changes rapidly. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible in July and August, and temperatures can swing 40 degrees between sunny meadows and shaded canyons. Rain gear and warm layers are essential regardless of the forecast.
Permits and Logistics
Wilderness Permit: Required. Free and self-issued at the Timberline Lodge trailhead kiosk. Fill out the form before you start.
Northwest Forest Pass: Required for parking at Timberline Lodge and most other trailheads in the forest. $5/day or $30/year. The Interagency Annual Pass ($80) also works.
Trailhead parking: Timberline Lodge has a large parking lot that's free for hikers. It fills on summer weekends, but if you're starting early (as you should be), you'll find a spot.
Shuttle logistics: Since this is a loop, no shuttle is needed. You end where you start. This is one of the trail's great practical advantages.
Resupply: There's no resupply on the route. Carry all your food for the full trip. For a 4-day trip, plan for roughly 8 to 10 pounds of food.
Tips
Don't bring your dog. This trail is not recommended for dogs due to the glacial river crossings. The current is too strong, the water is too cold, and the rocky riverbeds are hard on paws. Leave your dog with a friend for this one.
Carry more water capacity than you think you need. The stretches between reliable, clean water sources can be longer than expected, particularly on the east side between Cloud Cap and White River.
Trekking poles are not optional. You need them for stability on the river crossings and for the steep canyon descents. If you don't normally hike with poles, borrow or buy a pair for this trip.
Start your trip on a weekday if possible. The first few miles from Timberline Lodge and the Ramona Falls area see heavy weekend traffic. Starting on a Tuesday or Wednesday means quieter camps and more solitude.
Check recent trip reports. Conditions change significantly from year to year, especially at the river crossings. The Oregon Hikers Forum and the Mount Hood National Forest website are the best sources for current conditions. The national forest camping permit guide covers the self-issue wilderness permit system that applies to overnight trips on this route.
Getting There
The Timberline Lodge trailhead is the standard start and finish. From Portland, take US-26 East through Sandy and Government Camp. About 1 mile past Government Camp, turn left onto Timberline Road and follow it 6 miles uphill to the lodge. The drive from Portland takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Timberline Lodge itself is worth a stop: the historic WPA-era building has a restaurant, bar, and restrooms. Fill your water bottles and use the facilities before you hit the trail.
For alternative starting points, you can also access the Timberline Trail from Cloud Cap on the northeast side (via Cooper Spur Road from OR-35), from Ramona Falls Trailhead on the west side (via Lolo Pass Road), or from the Top Spur Trailhead off Forest Road 1828 (the same trailhead used for McNeil Point).