Hiking : Timberline Loop Trail

This is one of the hikes we've wanted to do since we got our hiking book - part of the Pacific Crest trail, which goes from Mexico to Canada, and part of the Timberline Trail, which circles Mt. Hood. The part of the trail that we did starts at Timberline lodge and goes under ski lifts (still carrying skiers up to the slopes!) through alpine meadows to a lookout over a 700' canyon. Our book told us to go in August to see the wildflowers and we were skeptical (it's so late in the summer!) but the book was right, as always. There were tons of flowers everywhere!

After about a mile, we came to the Little Zigzag River and its tiny canyon - and a stream crossing! The landscape was constantly changing from meadows to forest to barren rocky hills. We didn't expect any shade on the trail at all, so we were happy to find ourselves walking through trees for some of the hike! We even had views of Mt. Jefferson, the second-tallest mountain in Oregon (second to the one we were on).

There were so many other hikers on this trail! It was probably the most heavily trafficked trail we've ever hiked - and we were a little surprised. We should have known, though, since late summer is the best time of year up here! There were lots of backpackers, solo and in groups, and hikers who looked like they were going all the way around the Timberline Trail (40 miles or so). Maybe someday! Another mile past the Little Zigzag River, we got to the regular ol' Zigzag River...and a slightly deeper canyon.

That tiny river all the way down there is actually pretty big! We sort of felt like we were on the moon, or in the desert, in these rocky slopes. We stopped and had a snack (and so did a bunch of other people) and headed back the way we came. We realized that the trail had seemed so nice and easy on the way out because it had been ever-so-slightly downhill the whole way. The way back was, unsurprisingly, just a bit more difficult. Luckily, we had Timberline lodge waiting for us - and delicious food!

We had drinks and a tasty cheese plate full of some of the best cheeses we've ever had - and they were all locally produced! After we'd regained some energy, we headed back down to the campground and drove home (thunderstorms forced us out a day early). All in all, a wonderful trip up to the Cascades!