Live Timberline Trail Survey Results – 2025

40

18

17

30

25

15

25

35

8

40

32

15

27

26

27

35

35

30

37

25

26

30

36

34

30

32

32

32

39

26

27

28

35

26

27

45

35

27

30

35

22

38

30

12

1

30

33

28

16

15

44

12

16

45

35

33

40

36

5

33

8

26

32

15

30

45

37

15

10

40

30

30

22

25

35

35

20

27

No

No

No

No

No

Slightly dehydrated(easily avoidable, there’s water everywhere)

no

Scrapes and bruising from a fall

No

N/A

No

No

No

None

No

minor puncture wound

No

No, but the approach from the Lodge to the top of ZigZag Canyon needs an outhouse along the way.

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

N/A

No

No

No

No

No

No

Altitude sickness

No

No

NO

nope!

No

No

No

No

No

Some muscle cramping from heat

No

Leg muscle fatigue

No

None

No

No

No

37

29

33

30

28

42

39

26

30

53

55

31

34

33

23

44

41

77

56

39

47

55

41

34

36

72

29

58

52

27

36

57

54

37

68

41

60

58

53

20

59

35

59

40

54

41

37

52

63

46

70

43

54

58

59

58

55

34

27

61

40

38

50

57

28

41

39

54

50

54

39

31

49

52

41

70

61

61

98661

46205

97206

97206

60622

97219

97760

97128

63119

97080

97049

97220

97203

84081

97219

97213

95404

44107

97405

97008

97124

97213

97479

85255

98117

97062

97236

97405

97401

95492

98106

97214

97060

Switzerland

94930

97214

97217

95762

97219

80211

97116

97140

USA

28789

97008

78717

95762

97138

97219

98685

97080

98663

97045

60010

78642

97215

97035

97267

80002

98682

14450

97214

77024

Colombia

97213

83815

97062

97219

97420

97007

98685

78253

98004

98296

97365

97219

97239

Snow is still a challenge on northern and eastern sides of Mt Hood. Spikes and poles were sufficient, but I wish I brought my ice axe for this one. Some portions of the trail were so covered in snow that slowed down a lot of progress, especially the stretch between wy’east basin and cloud cap. Stretch between gnarl ridge tr intersection and mt hood meadows has some challenging snow obstacles as well. West side of the mountain is pretty much all clear. River crossings weren’t much of an issue to my surprise. I enjoyed the trek, but I wouldn’t recommend going for it now unless you’re prepared to commit and have good routefinding skills

Additional signposts with mileage would be helpful.

Snowfields can be a real problem on the north side. Flys can be a little annoying but not unbearable.

Wildflowers were incredible! Biting flies mildly annoying around elk cove and Ramona falls(not uncommon)

Great hike! Lots of hikers/runners in mid July.
Popular campsites fill up with "campers" early, we had to hike farther than planned to find a place to sleep after putting in long days. We ended up camping near a chairlift top inside of Mt. Hood Meadows ski area for our last night.
Snowfields are still present up high (7/20), but easily crossed.
Nearly all rivers crossed via log or rock hop, but wading them did feel good during the hot part of the day, some bushwhacking required.
We made it out in time for the breakfast buffet at the lodge, which was the icing on the cake after a wonderful few nights on the trail.

Find the rope and bridge at Eliot crossing! I missed it

Never get tired of it.

The deer at Cloud Cap are very assertive and will take gear and clothing. It is important not to leave anything out.

Took it counterclockwise, first time. Amazing experience. Snow on north side slowed progress on day 1 just a bit, but I didn’t feel I needed microspikes. A deer snagged a woman’s sweaty shirt at Cloud Cap and ate it. Can’t say I’ve ever seen that before. Some crossings took time to find the path but none were too challenging. Some people did a terrible job managing their waste, packed out some stranger TP. Paradise Park with wildflowers was spectacular.

Fantastic trip. Went with my daughter and two friends. All 21 years old.

Some junctions are unmarked which took some time to confirm I was making the correct turn.
The trail is sometimes difficult to follow on the east side above the treeline. Luckily it's a popular trail in July so I was able to figure it out with other hikers.
The descent to Eliot going clockwise is very sketchy. The sides are very steep and sandy/loose. Using the rope is mandatory. I wonder how often it is maintained, though? It gets a lot of wear and tear.
I had a hard time finding the trail after crossing the Sandy.
Bugs weren't an issue for me. Some flies up near the burned out section but overall no problem. Did not use bug spray.
I did the hike in 2 night/3 days, but would have enjoyed it more and been less beat up at the end if I added a day.

The wildflowers were amazing! Camped at McNeil Point one night and caught an amazing sunrise.

I've never cared to hike with gaiters, but I wished I had them for this trail

We were blessed with incredible brilliant colored floral surroundings much of the way. We had another group that we switched car keys with so we did not camp (I was the only backpacker in the group so next time I will camp) TIP… stop and look all around you along the way to take it in! Saw other hikers but not many maybe because it was during the week

Not many yield to uphill folks left out there.

Some sections could use some clearing of downed trees.

The thing that struck me the most about this trip was how distinct the different micro climates were. My kid kept relating it to video games saying “you have unlocked a new level”.

Elk cove and newton creek crossing had a lot of cat holes with TP/ wipes not buried 🙁

Challenging enough for an older hiker just getting back into backpacking after a 20 year hiatus, but not dangerously so.

We decided to hike CCW at the last minute, and I'm happy we did. We pushed from Wy'east Basin to Paradise Park on Day 3 of 4, and I loved camping in the Paradise Park area with the incredible views. We had a relaxing morning on the 4th day, enjoying the area. I think Paradise Park to Timberline Lodge leg is a fantastic way to finish the loop.

The upper part of Paradise Park Loop #757 has a serious hazard that could cause hikers and trail runners and even dogs and horses to break their legs. Especially if traveling at night! There are three deep holes directly in the trail.

Too Busy on weekends

Wildflowers were amazing and at peak. Recommend Paradise park. Loved the rope at Eliot creek

1) Our first night, we camped at one of the lower sites on the Rushing Water Creek, just before the Sandy. In the morning, our neighbors had a bear enter their site. The bear was easily scared off. In the future I will likely use an ursack or bear vault for food storage. It’d be a shame if bears became an issue like in the Sierras.

2) Our packs were too heavy. 35 lbs max seems like a good weight limit.

We helped this guy out by giving him water and electrolytes and he rewarded us the following night by sharing some of his booze. I thought it was funny that he had a whole bladder of whiskey but not a lot of water. Helping people is it's own reward though. Also don't share a tent with someone who farts a lot.

Too much TP around campsites - would be great to see better back country etiquette. Very busy trail at this time of year - had a blast thou.

We loved the trail and variety of landscapes!

It was tougher than I expected, but thankfully I was travelling with a wonderful crew. I was travelling with Chatty Matt who was selling this survey to everyone he met, Backpacker Jesus who would always show us the way, and Trail Nazi who did not like it when I threw trash on the ground, and my son who was eager to complete the trail, and graduate to bigger and better things. It was a beautiful trail and a beautiful mountain, and wonderful time.

Unleashed dogs are a real bummer

Did it in a day (16 hrs) so some of these questions re: camping don’t apply.

The Timberline trail never ceases to amaze me! Ramona Falls and Paradise Park were beautiful.

Wonderful trail!

Look I’m not sure if it was my age or condition but I found the trail difficult. More of a conditioning thing I believe but I and the others in my group would have finished it but for one coming down with altitude sickness.

Section between Muddy Fork and Yocum Ridge needs significant work and tree clearing.

The Facebook group was extremely helpful in mentally preparing for water crossings!

It was the first time night hiking the entire trail in one shot solo. Night hiking brings out a whole different trail

Great trip. Wish we didn’t choose the weekend with the heat wave

Amazing day - I would prefer to break it up in to 2-3 days next time to take in more time on the mountain.

Nice to see people willing to help out fellow hikers/runners on the trail if in need.

No

Toes socks worked wonders for me this hike. First time I have not had blisters.

Grateful for this community!
Only concern along the way...there are a few areas where the trail is very narrow and seems fragile along the edge, and the holes from the many poles are eroding the outer edge somewhat. Perhaps the people who use poles (which seems to be the majority) could be aware of this along narrow areas that are prone to erosion. Could save a lot of work repairing the trails later. Just a thought.

I did a supported trip - drove to top spur , friend met me at Tilly Jane - rented shelter - friend took my sleeping gear away - met me at timberline , we stayed in a cabin near there - I hopped back on the trail Sunday for the rainiest 6 hours of hiking I’ve ever done in my life and I love paradise park but actually regretted going that way vs TT or PCt or the other option ! So and I did the paradise trail so my last day was just about 18 miles and that last PCT cut through (instead of TT yocum ? ) nearly did me in

Really need info on the bypass to Yokum ridge now down section. Is that section of the trail cleared of downed trees? And what are the current conditions? We took it last year but this year did the bypass and I think that adds mileage and that section along with the trail to Mc Neil point is very dry and you need to carry a lot of water. Anyway, really just want more info on that section of the trail and the bypass details.