Here are the live results from this year’s Timberline Trail Survey. As the hiking season starts off the results will be few and additional survey responses can swing the results dramatically.
1/6: Basic Hike Information
Where did you start?
20 submission
"Other" answers
Cooper spur ski resort
Which direction did you hike?
20 submission
How many nights did you spend on the trail?
20 submission
When did you start your hike?
19 submission
July 2023
28
August 2025
08
September 2026
04
June 2026
13
12
19
2
18
21
July 2026
02
07
09
2
10
2
08
11
18
12
How many times have you hiked the Timberline Trail?
20 submission
Did you use a tent or hammock?
17 submission
What was your heaviest pack weight in pounds?
17 submission
40
30
30
20
15
30
29
40
34
30
35
22
20
20
32
28
6
2/6: About your group
How many people hiked with you?
20 submission
Did you travel with a dog?
20 submission
3/6: Challenges
How would you rate the difficulty of stream crossings?
19 submission
How would you rate the difficulty of traverses?
18 submission
Which of the following where an issue for you?
20 submission
4/6: Some questions about equipment
What kind of shoes did you wear?
20 submission
Did you take trekking poles?
19 submission
Did you take microspikes?
20 submission
Did you take crampons?
20 submission
Did you take bear spray?
20 submission
What food storage method did you use?
17 submission
Navigation Support
20 submission
How would you rate cell coverage?
18 submission
Who is your cell carrier?
20 submission
5/6: How did you hike go?
Did you complete your hike as planned?
20 submission
Did you leave the trail earlier than planned?
20 submission
Did you have any of the following problems?
20 submission
Did you have other medical issues?
14 submission
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
Did you have to call emergency services or SAR?
20 submission
Some questions on camping etiquette?
20 submission
Did you bury or carry out your TP?
20 submission
How was finding a campsite?
18 submission
6/6: Final Questions
How old are you?
19 submission
60
37
53
52
63
60
43
48
39
44
38
50
40
33
59
31
41
33
57
What gender are you?
20 submission
Are you from the US?
20 submission
Please enter your Zip code or country.
19 submission
97239
97230
97031
98115
97219
98604
97219
25504
85087
24740
99353
97703
97214
98038
97232
06357
76066
98665
97068
What race are you?
20 submission
Do you have any additional comments about the Timberline Trail? (highlights, tips)
13 submission
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).
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
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.
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!!
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!!!
