I would not do the loop as the Pinnacle trail head is not in the same parking lot so you would have to walk down a gravel road for a few miles to get back to your car. Elk Cove Hike. Road was definitely a bit bumpy to get there, but I just drove carefully in my Honda CRV and it was no problem. Hiking up a lush meadow, you'll see a longer spur leading left down to a secluded campsite. Once we got to Elk Cove it made the view just a little more sweet. Hood then you are familiar with the beautiful meadows of Elk Cove on the north side of the mountain. The Tomales Point area is a popular destination for visitors wishing to view tule elk, birds, and wildflowers.The historic Pierce Point Ranch offers a glimpse into the early dairy ranching days on the peninsula. Enjoy, be safe, and always leave no trace. We only saw two sites and one was taken, so we took the other. 2250 feet elevation gain. The meadows around Elk Cove are superb! I’ve done it from Mazama and Vista Ridge trailheads previously and this one is easily the best. Tons of wild flowers everywhere, truly stunning scenery and fun terrain! At mile 20.6 is Elk Cove and the junction with the Elk Cove Trail. The campsites are along the Elk Cove Trail, so after crossing the creek we turned down there and started looking. This hidden Eden became even quieter after a glacial flood closed … Elk Cove itself is quite picturesque with views of the north side of Mount Hood. Just follow the road at the end. The upper 2 miles before the Timberline trail intersection had a lot of downfall to scamper over or around. Elk Cove. Plenty of mosquitoes and biting flies at the cove but not as bad as other areas at this time. I really would not recommend making it a loop by bushwhacking between those two trailheads, as it is steep, covered in bramble and large downed trees. The trail is wide and easy to navigate but the top section is very steep and the loose dirt is … Good water should be available and plenty of campsites. Lots of down tree scramble- but that’s part of the adventure right? Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Self-issued wilderness permit; wilderness rules apply. I didn’t see anyone else the whole time. There are more trailside camps near a sedge spring, which dries up in mid-summer. After passing Kinnickinnick Campground at Laurence Lake, continue to the left on Road 2840. The foreground trees refused to move out of the way. We'll hike up the north flank of Mt. We have mountain ranges, national forests, rocky coasts, crashing waterfalls and high desert. One night backpack trip to Dollar Lake and Elk Cove with fall color, heavy rain and wind. I counted 30+ downed trees (all long dead from the 2011 burn) requiring some level of scrambling or high stepping and a few areas where they're tangled together. Arguably the prettiest and quietest timberline meadows at Mt. Where culverts were removed, you’ll need to drop into little dips. Hood via the Elk Cove Trail (#631). You are either bushwhacking (only for experienced hikers) or walking the road another 2miles. The spectacular Coe Glacier dominates the north face of Mount Hood, and craggy Barrett Spur rises like a black wall above the meadows, framing the idyllic scene. season, the flowers don't get much better anywhere than on this hike to Elk Cove. 08-01-20 This is one of the easiest graded spur trails on Wy’east. Turn right (west) at an intersection marked for Parkdale. Keenan, John, Hunter and I left Timberline Lodge at about 5PM on Thursday evening. Of the many wildflowers found here, none is as prolific as the western pasque flower, which blooms immediately after snowmelt, and thus before most hikers arrive. Trail was easy to find and the drive in was not hard on my car. 631 Sep 27, 2013 6 Mt. It takes a bit longer mile-wise to reach Timberline than Pinnacle Ridge/Vista Ridge, but the views down into the Coe Branch drainage, across to Cooper Spur, Cloud Cap, the Langhille Crags, and up into the supremely glaciated north face of the mountain are phenomenal. We later discovered that it was no problem Creek road in the direction of Elk Cove weren t! Whole trail so lots to climb over no problem another open view the! Lenticular ( banner ) Cloud at the summit has a pinkish tail side of Mt i could )... Pinkish tail do cross over a Creek via your choice of log under the trees our. Rambles through the valley of Pinnacle Creek you think of it like a jungle gym then it adds bit. 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