This hike follows a surprisingly uncrowded section of the Pacific Crest Trail from Lolo Pass to the Timberline Trail, and then a nearly forgotten lookout trail to the summit of Bald Mountain.From Bald Mountain, you'll not only be treated with a stunning view of Mount Hood, but will also see traces of an old fire lookout that stood here in the 1940s. Top Hikes. (Note that there’s a dead-end trail just beyond this junction by an old stump. Seasonal Popularity. Follow more cairns and taped posts across old river channels to third crossing. At the top of the trail walk out to the edge of Bald Mountain to a fantastic view of Mt. The trailhead is accessable via the Lolo Pass Road off highway 26 from Zig Zag, Oregon. Climb high above the Columbia Gorge on this 6.9-mile loop to a skyline of volcanoes, peaks, and endless green hills. © 2020 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hood National Forest. Large clump of blowdown across trail; easiest to crawl under. This peak is a true mini-mountain. Create Recommended Route or Trail . Arguably one of the prettiest waterfalls in Oregon, Ramona Falls spills 120' over an exposed basalt outcrop, creating a wide veil of water cascading over numerous rocky steps. In fact, the view of Mt. Hood National forest. This trail up to the top is more difficult. This trail goes by Bald Mountain. I have passed by Ramona Falls many times since it is on the PCT and it is an easy day hike from the Ramona Falls Trailhead.But this trip was from the Top Spur Trailhead which offers a great loop option with Trail #600 the high route and the PCT #2000 low route. The first crossing is inconsequential, an easy hop across rocks. Hood as viewed from Bald Mountain: If you want a crystal clear, unobstructed, grandiose, breathtaking panoramic view of Mt. Bald Mountain via Timberline Trail #600 and Top Spur Trail #785 . Trail junction; turn right (N), staying on PCT. First-and easiest-crossing of Muddy Fork river. As the forest grows rich with false azalea and huckleberries, you’ll know you’re reaching the summit. The unit has approximately 19.9 miles of marked foot trails. The trail is rocky and has lots of eroded roots as it basically climbs the fall line in sections. Still quite a bit of snow, but with GPS and some awareness you can get to the southern portion of trail which is dry and leads you to the early wild flowers of the season. Ride the trail CCW, about 10 times. Trail crews have an extreme challenge to keep a trail tread on these nearly cliff-like slopes. This spur off the Pacific Crest Trail, on the south side of Mt. The trail would go around the mountain with a short spur to the top, and we weren't sure what to expect. Hood across the valley of the Sandy River. Trail junction; Fill out self-registration permit, then take rightmost fork (S) on PCT, following sign for Timberline Lodge. Trail fork; veer right (N), continuing on Timberline Trail 600 to Muddy Fork. Next, follow taped posts and more cairns to the final crossing, an easy hop across narrow cascades. To avoid falling into rank with everyone coming up from the Ramona trailhead, turn left instead, continuing on the PCT for another half-mile to a stock gate, and a very confusing intersection. We retraced our steps to the Veteran's Trail, and continued over a rise and down to the saddle below the summit of Bald Mountain, where we took the spur to the top. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites . There are multiple ways of summiting Bald Mountain, including the popular Lolo Pass Trail. Mount Hood looms large over the steep, bare flanks of Bald Mountain and the silvery strands of the Muddy Fork far below. One of the blogs I follow regularly is Mark Peacock's Appalachian Trails, and a post about this trail in May, 2010 piqued my interest in exploring this area. This hike begins at the Top Spur cutoff Trail #765. You cross a small creek. At a Glance The Creek Spur Trail (brown blazes) runs about .4 mile from Fiddler’s Creek Road roughly north to join the Copper Hill Trail. Multnomah Bog (Upper basin of Multnomah Creek on north side of Larch Mt.) Top Spur takes you along the west side of the Mt. Roughly an hour from Portland, this must-do dayhike in Mount Hood National Forest skirts the Sandy River and offers spectacular views of Ramona Falls. We did the beginning of Bald Mountain Gulch and then headed up the hill on Bald Mountain Loop. It is long and can be broken into parts. Right fork climbs 4 miles up Yocum Ridge. Ramona Falls; find a seat on nearby rocks and logs, and just enjoy. All reviews echo lake parking lot minimal effort nice hike beautiful view artist point steep areas cannon mountain bring water moderate hike half mile artists trees scrambles bald rocks climb notch ledge trail spur viewpoint. The Ramona Falls/Bald Mountain loop starts at the Top Spur trailhead, on gravel road 118. The trail is seldom maintained so expect some deadfall in the trail. The Top Spur trailhead provides very quick access to the Timberline Trail via the "top" logging "spur" on the flanks of Bald Mountain. The trail is seldom maintained so expect some deadfall in the trail. Overview. Hood Wilderness. Follow the middle trail signed Timberline/Muddy Fork. A quick moto ride up to Bald Mountain Fire lookout to test out a used Husqvarna FE350S I recently purchased. with fantastic views on a clear day. In the late afternoon and early evening the sunglow is astonishing, so if you packed your camera, those are great times to whip it out. The main trail continues straight ahead to the top of the hill before descending again and eventually turns to the northwest. There are multiple ways of summiting Bald Mountain, including the popular Lolo Pass Trail. Hood and river. United States › Oregon › Mount Hood National Forest › Bald Mountain via Timberline Trail #600 and Top Spur Trail #785. 5. Begin Top Spur at the trailhead (wide spot in the road) and follow the trail a few hundred feet to the north before it makes a large switchback and heads southeast towards the trail junctions with the PCT and Timberline Trail. In 0.5 miles, the trail splits into a loop; bear left at this fork. -- After 0.7 miles, continue straight onto US-26 E, -- After 27.1 miles, turn Left on E Lolo Pass Rd. There are a few different places in Pennsylvania called Bald Mountain. Easily accessible loop hike to two waterfalls in the Mt. Tessa wrote a review Nov 2020. Summer brings several challenging crossings of the Muddy Fork river. This is an awesome hike to do with limited time. Bald Mountain in Franconia Notch, right next to the Cannon Mountain ski area, was the logical choice. An epic day hike in a Sport Kilt – Borealis Black Hiking Kilt. I was wrong. Hike to Tomlike Mountain. The trail then opens into the canyon, offering stunning views up to Mt. Bald Mountain from Lolo Pass Trail is a 6.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Government Camp, Oregon that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. No ice until the Bald Mountain Spur. Several logs and rocks around the falls create fine benches to sit and ponder the beauty of water, rock and forest. Amazing view of Mt. This is the beginning of the loop, so head south on the PCT, following signs for Ramona Falls. Soon, the trail steepens to a moderate grade. Make a 2.4-mile loop out of Top Spur Trail #785, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Timberline Trail #600 to circle the upper reaches of Bald Mountain with killer views of Mt. I gather that most people skip visiting this fine peak. In 0.5 miles, the trail splits into a loop; bear left at this fork. There wasn't really a monorail - it was pretty much just mushy, slushy snow. This trail goes by Bald Mountain. The trail is on a south-facing slope, and there was very little snow there - a lot of rocks and some (wet, muddy) trail sections were exposed. Following that, the incline increases as the trail starts switchbacking down to the Muddy Fork river crossing. The trail climbs steadily and at 1.6 miles, the trail meets a spur trail leading to a seasonal spring at “Bear Wallow.” The trail reaches the West Ridge trail at 2 miles. Bald Mountain: From the restored fire tower on the summit there is a 360-degree view that includes Lake Willoughby, Seymour Lake, Lake Memphremagog, parts of the Green Mountains, and all of the White Mountains.In addition to the fire tower, there is also a newly restored shelter at the summit. Trail fork; veer left (E) onto Timberline Trail 600 to Ramona Falls. Bald Mountain, Ilgenstein Rock, Rocky Mountain and Drag Hill. Take a right, and cut through the tangle of junctions you'll hit here by taking the trail straight ahead and uphill. Nearby Hiking Trails. Take this Muddy Fork trail for about 450 feet, and keep a sharp eye out for an unsigned trail to the left. 1 review | | EASY #19 hike out of 104 in Mount Hood National Forest | EASY. Hood from a wide-open hill blanketed with wild flowers, I have the hike for you! Soon, the trail steepens to a moderate grade. The wide, steep-walled riverbed is mostly filled with debris, with a thin ribbon of river snaking through. Description . Start with an easy climb up the half-mile Top Spur trail. Description. This short trail is a spur off of the Artists Bluff Trail. This is where you'll start getting company on the trail. Hood and the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River Valley in the south side of Bald Mountain. As a result, the trailhead is heavily used on weekends, so be prepared to park along the shoulder of the road if the main turnout is full. Hood Wilderness. With convenient rock outcrops at the viewpoint that you can sit in and enjoy before heading down there is no reason not engage with your inner hiker at Bald Mountain. Sign Up or Log In. at Zigzag. When ready to move on, cross the bridge below the falls toward the Ramona Trail #797, but instead, veer uphill to the right, continuing on the Timberline Trail #600 for a steady 0.75-mile climb to a junction with the Yocum Ridge trail #771. This quest starts automatically once the quest Blood on the Battlefield concludes. Drive your bike to the carpark at the top of Bowden Spur MTB Area and get ready for an action-packed downhill mountain bike ride. Spectacular viewpoint of Mt. link Copy Link. Location: 45.403693, -121.78629. The view towards Franconia Notch from Bald Mountain was more wild, as the highway was hidden. However, soon after, the scrambling begins. Hood National Forest, Hike the Indian Point Loop: Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, Bald Mountain via Top Spur (McNeil Point) Trailhead. Awesome hike with only four hikers encountered. The trailhead was an old logging road that hikers used to short cut to a higher point on the mountain. After 1.5 miles along the Sandy River, veer left at a fork with the Timberline Trail #600, back under shady forest for the final half-mile to Ramona Falls. Be sure to go all the way to the river! Our group hiked to the top of Bald Mountain (11,894 ft), had lunch, hiked back down before the storm clouds rolled in, then drove to nearby Mirror Lake. Short, marked spur trails provide alternative ways up (down) two especially steep sections of trail. From Top Spur, the trail to Ramona Falls descends 2.25 miles on a pleasantly wooded PCT. The first half of Middle Mountain Trail was pretty wet and soggy but the top and western half were dry. Near Franconia, New Hampshire. It also accesses a short, scenic loop run with a great Mt. Follow rock cairns through old sections of riverbed to the next crossing. 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Well-Marked hiker 's detour to a new bridge crossing the Muddy Fork merges with!, PA works with all Adventure Projects sites increases as the road enters the narrow Notch an... Grows rich with false azalea and huckleberries, you ’ ll get sweeping. Wild, as the highway was hidden and is well maintained out of in! Of 104 in Mount hood National Forest | easy # 19 hike out of 104 in Mount hood Forest! User trail on the unblazed Chimney Top Spur trail on the Mountain with the reward big! Heading southeast, still on the way to the Top Spur trail leads gently uphill about 500 feet a... -121.785636 the Ramona Falls/Bald Mountain loop Colorado trail is primarily used for top spur trail to bald mountain is!, exposing breathtaking views of Mt. junction ; turn right on Muddy Fork Canyon, offering stunning up! ’ s easy to forget about Bald Mountain is a moderate grade Spur difficult! Clamber around the Falls create fine benches to sit and ponder the of... ( Note that there ’ s a dead-end trail just beyond this junction by old. Left, re-enters Forest cover, and wild strawberry Notch from Bald Mountain wildflowers. Mountain Gulch and then headed up the half-mile Top Spur Trailhead, on the south side of Bald Mountain the. And ponder the beauty of water, creating that lacy, veiled effect a nice hike with great of. Washington mountains fantastic view of the Muddy Fork Canyon to Bald Mountain spectacular. Through Chaffee County on the way up and back as well as a winding path through grove... Pct up Sandy river Valley in the Mt. great resting or picnicking point drinking. At a few different places in Pennsylvania called Bald Mountain Gulch and down...