Live Timberline Trail Survey Results – 2026

Cooper spur ski resort

40

30

30

20

15

30

29

40

34

30

35

22

20

20

32

28

6

3

30

30

32

46

45

18

18

15

24

30

20

45

No

No

No

NO

No

No

I broke my foot and had two surgeries to fix it last year and I think I still need more time doing shorter/easier trips.

No

No

My thighs were killing me on the downhills. I felt so stiff and sometimes felt like I was hobbling along.

No. Just the IT Band Syndrome, which I am prone to and have had before.

N/a

No

no

No

No

No

No

Nausea and lack of appetite from altitude - couldn't fuel enough for the last day

no

60

37

53

52

63

60

43

48

39

44

38

50

40

33

59

31

41

33

57

40

18

51

53

43

39

38

30

25

49

38

60

36

97239

97230

97031

98115

97219

98604

97219

25504

85087

24740

99353

97703

97214

98038

97232

06357

76066

98665

97068

United States

37306

37306

97202

23223

98103

98401

02132

98199

83686

97214

So glad it exists

We need a pit toilet or conveyer toilet at paradise park. Shit everywhere.

A lot of people do not like going clockwise because of the final climb to the Timberline lodge on sand. That might be an issue for trail runners or people with enormous packs but my feet do not slip except in a few very short sections and I enjoy this climb which has a good gradient with the views of high ski-lift and then lodge providing motivation.

Not quite sure what all the traverse names are but the blow down region on the NW side is still interesting and has one region where rocks will fall when the slope dries out.

The fresh blowdowns near the Eliot are nothing like as bad as the early reports suggested (e.g., alltrails.com report that suggested that you could lose the trail).

Interesting snow bridge across the Clark - it will melt out at some point
Blow downs across the Dollar Lake burn area - especially in and out of the Eliot

Loved it! Will be back to take side trips.

We used the reroute from Ramona Falls to Top Spur (and went “backwards” on the Timberline south of Bald Mountain and used the connector trail to rejoin the clockwise direction trail).

Blowdown descending into and ascending out of the Eliot was pretty rough.

Our day 3 (McNeil Point area to Gnarl Ridge) was the most challenging, but also probably the most scenic/beautiful section of the trail. Ascending to the high point and getting to Gnarl Ridge in the later evening was particularly special. I hadn’t been to the high point of Gnarl Ridge areas before.

The section from Elk Cove to Cloud Camp is horrible with blow downs. There needs to be either extensive work to clear the trail or a re-route/alternate for that section.

I knew going in that this would be a push for me. It was warmer than I thought it would be so I think that contributed to my blisters. I’ll keep up with my PT and hopefully I’ll complete this next year. Absolutely beautiful! Blowdown areas are gnarly though. Worst I’ve had on any backpacking trip.

The blowdowns on the climb down to the Eliot clockwise were terrible (worse than the section where most people do the PCT alternate). A few of the washouts on the section where most people do the PCT alternate are getting pretty bad.

More blowdowns than usual

It was SO GORGEOUS but I’m a trail worker so I can’t help but notice things that need work. First A TON of blowdowns before the Elliot that are in dire need of being cut. The trail could also use a lot of brushing. Through Hood Meadows the trail could be widened by several inches. (There were some INCREDIBLY GORGEOUS stone steps heading down to one of the rivers! A huge tip of the helmet to whomstever built them!)
All in all I had an amazing time!!

Love this trail! The blowdown section prior to crossing Eliot Branch added some extra fun. Water seemed very plentiful this year.

LOVED IT!!!

https://dashertonclimbs.com/2026/07/15/timberline-trail-round-three-rivers-blowdowns-and-a-long-day-around-mount-hood/

Didn’t have medicals, but was extremely stifff first two days, most likely from downhill start from timberline

First time doing the TT, it was great and challenging. We planned for 3 days/2nights CW but spent one extra night on the trail when a thunder storm rolled in as we hiked through Mt Hood Meadows.

Honestly I was shocked by how many trees were down within 1/4 mile of the cloud cap lodge (ie vehicle access point AND frequently hiked). That whole stretch on the Portland side leading to Cloud Cap going clockwise was ravaged by fell trees.

Aggressive camp host at cloud cap, extensive blowdowns coming down and up Eliot branch switchbacks

Take the alternates! Paradise park, Ramona fall, bald mountain

We live at sea level and I knew the altitude would affect us cardiovascularly, but I wasn't prepared for the way mild altitude illness can cause nausea and lack of appetite. I had thought Cloud Cap's elevation wasn't high enough for symptoms but I could not get food down that night (it was our second night) or next morning. For hikers who live/train at low elevation areas, bring food that is easy to get down if you feel ill. In my case that would have been some energy gels, more electrolyte chews/tabs, carnation instant breakfast w milk powder.

The trail from Elk Cove up to Cloud Cap is really rough with blowdowns. Tedious and long, which probably added dehydration and fatigue to my altitude adjustment issues.

I tried to start the trail up from Cloud Cap on our 3rd and final day and had to turn back. Got a ride down from the parking lot with 3 other hikers making the same decision. (And we saw 3 other people make that decision the night before - seven people bailing at Cloud Cap in a 12 hour window tells you what a tough leg that is from Muddy Fork up to CC. The rest of my group made it fine.

But - still no regrets - a beautiful trail and so rewarding!

Great time! Be cautious crossing river, we did an early wake up to cross one that folks were having a tough time in evening

no

A hard, beautiful, rewarding trail. My first time. The river crossings take time and courage to attempt, but all felt doable and reasonably safe if you took your time. I carried too much food (as usual), and should have filled up water less often — there were so many streams and sources that you almost don’t have to think about filling up. I had to do an extra long final day and call it quits a day early because of the smoke from the Grasshopper fire, which was a shame, so for the rest of the season people wanting to hike should check the wind forecast for their trip days and make a call based on that. On days with wind from the west the mountain remained clear with good hiking weather.