Elk cove vista ridge

Then there's a bit of steeper climbing with a switchback, but it's less than a quarter mile. The top of the steep section is marked by a junction with the Eden Park Trail and the first of many fine views of Mount Hood. Continue straight left here, and enjoy ever-increasing mountain views as you climb another 0. Turn left on the Timberline Trail, and follow the easy grade as it passes the unmarked junction with the user trail to Barrett Spur where the Timberline Trail enters Wy'East Basin , a peaceful, green glade with Mount Hood peering over the ridgeline.

Pristine streams burble down from springs and snowfields higher up. There's an unrestricted view down the meadow to Mount Adams and Mount Rainier. Continue across Wy'East Basin , passing a tent site on the east edge where the trail re-enters trees.

From here, the route dips in and out of several lush swales filled with summer wildflowers before starting a broader swing around the base of Barrett Spur. Pass the Pinnacle Ridge Trail no. Watch closely for this path, which disappears to the right through a thicket of mountain hemlock where the trail curves through a small draw. If you reach an open scree slope, you've passed the Dollar Lake junction by a short distance.

As the trail descends through steep meadows, Elk Cove is visible below, and the rugged Langille Crags form the east horizon. It had lasted less than a minute and then we were back in the cloudy mist but it was the icing on the cake for what had already been a great hike. We returned to the junction with the Vista Ridge Trail where we turned downhill, passing the Eden Park Trail junction in.

Getting out on the trail was really just what we had needed. Happy Trails! Flickr: Vista Ridge Trail. Hood Wilderness post.

It had been a cloudy August day which deprived us of any views of the mountain save for a brief […]. We had not however been on the 5 mile section of […]. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account.

Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. Close Menu. We set off through the forest which was damp from a light mist that fell for most of the day.

It was actually really nice to hike in the cool temperatures and to see some moisture falling. The amount of fireweed was simply amazing. A few avalanche lilies were still blooming in this area. The lilies dwindle quickly, but the pasque flowers are replaced by seedheads that last all summer. In mid July, the basin erupts in a colorful display of lupine, aster, paintbrush and numerous other flowers.

Camping is allowed at numerous spots in the trees at the east or north ends of the Cove along the Timberline and Elk Cove trail approaches, and not in the fragile meadows. Page Discussion View source History. This page was last modified on 27 September , at This page has been accessed 58, times.

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