Timberline Trail Guide (Mt Hood)

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The 41.5 mile Timberline Trail, which circles Oregon’s highest point, Mt Hood, dropping in and out of glacier-carved canyons, is a classic that should be on everyone’s bucket list. There’s a lot to love about the Timberline Trail: a well-worn path above and below the timberline (the altitude where trees stop growing), epic views of Mt Hood and the other peaks of the Cascades, glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic rock, alpine meadows, wildflowers, and rich history (it’s also a National Historic Trail). Numerous tent sites along the trail and an easy permit system make tackling the Timberline in 2-4 days straightforward. In this guide I’ll explain everything you need to know to plan your trip, and then do the hike.
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[@Sven-cm3mh]

Only saw squirrels and chipmunks. Great trail. Hard river crossings. Great views of Mount Hood. Watch for cairns at crossings and washed out trails. Very rewarding.

[@MOUNTAINOUS]

great video. i was a timberline mgr for 12 years. i left 3 years ago to move back to the midwest. but i lived in govt camp for 15 years. i made 1000 adventure videos on mt hood when i lived there. such a great place. i did videos on mushroom hunting. snowshoeing. snowboarding. hiking. fishing. rafting. camping. archery. survival. mt biking. bmx and tons of other wild stuff. good times. many of my friends did this trail. i had not but i done tons of other trails there. all the the lakes. upper mt hikes to crater rock and snowboard down. illumination rock etc. well put together video bro

[@debbieriddle3378]

this is so incredibly helpful as we plan our trip to backpack the timberline

[@davideastlee9983]

Very very high class tutorial! Thank you!

[@mjwmjw470]

Of all my hiking subs and videos I've watched over the years never have I wanted to jump in my car and just go more than right now! Thx hiking guy

[@Hikingguy]

Ha, yea, this is a classic - and very "jump in the car-able" since there are no permit quotas, just show up and hike

[@matthewslagle]

Great job Cris! This an amazing breakdown, I'm surely going to hike the Timberline one day.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you and yes, def add it to the list, it's a classic

[@AbouttheJourney]

Wow, I really liked that hike! I've heard about it over the years, never really considered hiking it before. Now I have to do it. This looks beautiful! I really appreciate the details on your website too. Perfect companion to the video. Thanks again for a great presentation. - Mike

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍 and yes, it's really spectacular, I highly recommend giving it a go.

[@katz4dancing]

Excellent video, now I have to go all around the Mountain! - instead of just out and back to Paradise Park.

[@adamhansen3]

Awesome man! This was great. I really appreciate it. Really great breakdown. I’m planning on heading out there next week.

[@Hikingguy]

Awesome, have fun, it's an epic hike 👍

[@rrogers8076]

Well-spoken detailed trail guide. Nice work! Thank you for sharing.

[@ReynoldsAudioProduction]

I had hiked a lot on Cooper's Spur and White River trails and was planning to do this loop, when at 61, I acquired a neurological disorder. Now in my 70s it's a lost dream. I'm so glad this video was posted, showing what I missed and was hoping for. Beautiful! Thanks!

[@kevinb1756]

This is by far the most comprehensive trail breakdown I’ve ever seen. Really appreciate the information and time invested in this video. Much appreciated, thank you and happy trails!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you!

[@KristinKStar]

I’m about to do this hike july22

[@leapheap6837]

So glad you made it to the NW, my state of Oregon. I’m glad you had fun.

[@johnbarroll1120]

Bears, sheep or goats on Hood? Its so pulverized by constant cycle of precipitation, heavy snowfall and runoff. Comment: wonderful video. Thanks for Tour de Timberline.

[@Hikingguy]

Bears but you don't see them much.

[@danpalmer6227]

👍

[@londonnecorder1621]

My son and I are hiking this trail next week! Thanks for the exceptional info. It's the BEST resource I've found so far. Question: If we go with the Hoka Lone Peak 6 (opposed to hiking boots), do we also need waterproof socks?

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! And LP6 with regular socks should be fine, your feet will dry.

[@jasonkappenman4203]

Great webpage and video. Thanks so much. We are planning to do this loop 22nd-25th of July. We have 4 guys 4 tents. is there enough room at Newton Creek to camp?

[@Hikingguy]

Yup

[@luistorres4173]

Hey Chris quick question! What do you recommend for a day hike for mount hood!? I will only be able to be there for a day so any place you recommend to start? Thank you In advance. Awesome video

[@Hikingguy]

this is a great one - www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/oregon/mcneil-point-trail

[@kristymoore7052]

Thanks for sharing. I hiked in 2022 going counterclockwise from Cloud Cap. All was well until I got to the so-called cut-off trail. Took it. The maps, GPS didn’t identify the diversion to the PCT and closed trail. Neither did the trail signs. Going counterclockwise it was not made clear. Long story short, I survived and finished the trail. EPIC.

[@LostAgainwithJim]

Me and a buddy are hiking the trail in a couple weeks (sept 24-26). This really helped answer a bunch of questions. Thanks so much.

[@Hikingguy]

👍👍👍👍

[@josala143]

Thank you we enjoy your videos, very informative! Can you please do a Santo Rosa Plateau in Murrieta, its a beautiful hike in Riverside County, one of our favorite places to hike, thanks

[@rayeaglenz]

Always interesting, thank you 👍😊

[@michellehy]

Great video!

[@justrione]

Always goodness Sir thank you

[@johngarrison6526]

Great video!!

[@lucymelancon6534]

This video is hands down, the best one I've seen detailing the sections.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! 🙏

[@s.annehancock730]

Fantastic tutorial on this hike, showing the terrain and map and footage of actual hike. Felt like we were hiking alongside. Can you consider a hike on where to pick huckleberries in the Mt. Hood and Mt. Adam’s areas?

[@thors_shadow]

Excellent video. Did this trail last week. Someone put in a rope at the Elliot crossing that you showed in the video. When i used it, it was definitely the most intense crossing. Also the black flies at bald mt were horrible. Went clockwise and did it in 3 days. Perfect hike if your just getting into overnight backpacking.

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, and yea, the Elliot was pretty crazy. The last time I dd it there was a log, but this time I was about waist deep (midday). And yea, the flies were crazy at Bald Mt. Motivated me to move quicker up the climb. Glad you got to enjoy this one, it's a great adventure.

[@cynthiao315]

HI Cris. I'm doing the Timberline Trail soon. I was wondering if it's possible to get a download of all the pictures showing where to go so I can take them with me. I'd like to get 6 pics on each page and get a color copy made. I love the video and really like the play-by-play pics so there is less likelihood of a wrong turn. Thank you!

[@Hikingguy]

Try your printer settings - usually you have the option to print multiple pages onto 1 printed page!

[@cynthiao315]

@@Hikingguy OK, Cris. Thank you!

[@wilinwithwiley]

One of my childhood adventures! #exploringmyworld #wilinwithwiley

[@justingagnier1394]

This is the best breakdown and video ever. What time of year was this? august?

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! This was shot in July. By late Aug the water is probably not as intense.

[@Powernana12]

Loved seeing it again!! Thank you!

[@attention_shopping]

This looks so fun. Love that there's lodges. Wonder what's the best time to plan my trip

[@juangarcia1974]

Im doing this next weekend and all this info is amazing THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@Hikingguy]

Awesome, have fun, it's a great time to hit this one! 👍

[@alextheis1123]

This is fantastic. Big thanks. The photo walkthrough on your website is really good too. What would you say the longest waterless stretches are, in miles?

[@Hikingguy]

Longest stretch between Cloud Cap and Newtwon Creek - check out the website for mileage chart too

[@briannacook8968]

Hiking the trail this weekend!! Thanks for your help!!

[@danielhunt2913]

Considering this hike for this weekend with my 19 yo daughter. She's in shape, but has really no backpacking experience. Wondering about the water crossings and called zigzag ranger station to get info. about their current conditions. They didn't have much info. Any other place I can call to inquire how intense the crossings are currently? Thanks,, and AWESOME video and website!

[@Hikingguy]

The crossings should be lower at this time of year. Worse case if you don't feel safe, you can bail out onto an exit trail and taxi/Uber. It will still be fun to experience the hike.

[@hotrod101786]

Thank you for this video. My wife and I want to do the trail for our anniversary, but we only have 2 days. We dont want to push crazy hard and do the whole thing. We figure we would hike about 10 miles, camp, then hike back. Do you recommend a section to do for that kind of trip? Thank you.

[@Hikingguy]

It's all good, I'd just watch the video and decide on the section that looks most appealing to you.

[@jasonmountain4643]

One question. Are there any decent camps sites near the Elliot on the north side of it? Wanting to get an early cross in, but if staying at Elk Cove, it might be 11am+ by the time we got there.

[@Hikingguy]

I have some spots listed around 45.39962, -121.67820 - but you may be able to find closer.

[@davidwilliams3285]

Best step by step guide, views and dialog I've seen on the Timberline Trail. Great job Hiking Guy! I did this a year before you and it was surprising to see all of those blow downs compared to August 2020. When I went there were logs over most of the bigger creek crossing including Eliot.

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, the blow downs are crazy. I checked out the beginning of the closed section and it's pretty impostble to get through unless you're a squirrel. Check this out > storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f5d657a3b01d48d2b2696be821dc8373 && yea, I did it in 2018 and there were more logs, this time no dice...

[@davidwilliams3285]

@@Hikingguy Thanks for the article showing all of the damage and wow that was quite a bit of destruction. I remember that section being a cool, thick forest with some springs coming down the hillside.

[@sirsir108]

Me and my dog did the timberline trail along with some extra pct miles before and after the loop in October and the timberline loop was absolutely amazing I highly recommend this trail I wouldn't necessarily reccomended bringing a dog in June when the water crossings are more brutal unless you pup is a ninja and aquatic even in October it took some effort to find good a good crossing point and a few times I had carry him across since he doesn't love swimming or fast moving water but he is a good rock jumper the water is amazing up there and there are soo many side trails you could do if you want as well I like the super detailed video you have put together keep up the good work

[@Hikingguy]

Glad you made it safe. I couldn't imagine hitting those crossings in June with a dog.

[@Bi0zilla]

Would it be alright if I used clips from this in a video project? I would credit you for the footage.

[@Hikingguy]

Sure - as long as you credit it's cool

[@davideliasidinopulos9627]

I just did this trip A month ago with the best hiking friends (24 years now) a person could ever ask for. It was so much fun. It was a work out, but it wasn’t brutal if you backpack. Every day was a few crossings so you had to think and you got a wee bit nervous. Terrific views. Plenty of people in some spots but few people in others, and a variety of terrain. And a great Lodge at the beginning and end of the trail. Just a terrific Hike

[@Hikingguy]

Glad you enjoyed it - it's def one of my faves and I know what you mean about the crossings, part puzzle, part fear, part physical challenge. Followed by climbing of course...

[@ariannehatton4529]

How many days would you suggest for an older hiker to complete it in? How strenuous is the hike?

[@Hikingguy]

The ups and downs are tough. Giving yourself 5 days should be a good target. It's so beautiful though, I'd take as long as you have. I could live on this trail.

[@dorindaalberthal1316]

Great video Cris, I grew up in Oregon and spent a lot of time on MT Hood. Thank you for taking us along on your hike it brought back great memories for me. Wondered if you have ever hiked in the Bend , Oregon area? Great hikes there as well. Happy Hiking

[@Hikingguy]

Ah thank you 👍 and it must have been great growing up around Mt Hood. I haven't hiked in Bend yet, but it's on the list. I've done all the Gorge hikes and a lot in WA. So many great trails out there...

[@dorindaalberthal1316]

@@Hikingguy it was great growing up in Oregon. We recently moved to St George Utah , loving it!! So much to do here and we have never met nicer people, a whole new level of kindness here. Looking forward to seeing your videos at some point of Bend, we lived there for 4 years and I loved everything Bend. Check out no name lake and fall creek to green lakes in bend, days hikes, beautiful!!

[@Hikingguy]

@@dorindaalberthal1316 St George isn't too shabby either! I love that area.

[@jasonmountain4643]

I have a trip planned for this Aug 26-29. Can't wait. Thanks for the video.

[@Hikingguy]

That's a great time, have a blast!

[@conradbostron6955]

Great video. How tough do you think the river crossings would be in early June?

[@Hikingguy]

I would say pretty intense if not borderline not-crossable. I'd call the ranger station in late May and get their opinion.

[@tonypino2858]

Echt hele mooie omgeving daar in de bergen.

[@Jose_Hunters_EWF_Remixes]

Excellent work as always, Hiking Dude I've never tried hiking more than a mile around here due to physical limitations However, I've bicycled around Mt Hood easily 200 + times (Government Camp - Hood River -Portland trip over 100 miles) I have some side trips to "civilization" information for hikers on PCT heading through this area I';ll post them here later today