Weekend Backpacker: Portland

Permit Information

Wilderness permit required. No fees or quotas. Register with climber registration at lower lodge. No trail parking permit required at Timberline, but be certain to park in the overnight parking area.

Recommended Map

Mount Hood Wilderness Map by Al Cardwell. An excellent map of the mountain, it belongs in every Hood lover's backpack. Includes clear contours and good mile markings. For more info, contact Geo-Graphics, 970 Muirfield Court, Beaverton, OR 97006.

Recommended Guide

100 Hikes in Oregon by Rhonda and George Ostertag (Mountaineers). Covers this circuit with a nice discussion on natural history of the mountain.

Also see "Timberline Trail #600 — a Brief Guide," a free flyer available from the Forest Service. It provides a helpful breakdown of mileage and other useful info. To get it, contact the Hood River or Zigzag ranger districts in the Mount Hood National Forest.

Getting There

From Portland, take I-84 east to exit 16 (Wood Village). At the stop sign turn right onto 242nd Avenue. Follow this up about three miles to Burnside. Left on Burnside until it turns east onto Highway 26 east. Follow 26 through Sandy, Welches, and Rhododendron to Government Camp. Pass the Summit Ski Area and turn left on the Timberline Access Road. Timberline is six miles up this road.

By public transit: Greyhound can get you as close as Government Camp. From here cross-country ski trails can be connected to get you up to Timberline. Check with the Zigzag ranger district for details.