Elk Meadows

September 7, 2000 It was a beautiful day for a hike, and we had a favorite hike scheduled--
a section of the Timberline Trail from Cloud Cap to Gnarl Ridge on the east side of Mt. Hood. But that was not to be. The road was closed nine miles from the trailhead. A Forest Service employee tried to get us permission from the road contractor to go through, but he could not be located.

We then decided to use one of the other approaches to Gnarl Ridge, from the south. The side road to one of the other trailheads was also blocked. Finally we started from the southernmost trailhead near Mt. Hood Meadows. But since we were getting such a late start, we decided on the easier and shorter Elk Meadows loop.

It was a pleasant hike, with many huckleberries and thimbleberries. It was, however, late in the season for floral display at this altitude.

[ Click on a picture to link to a larger one. ]

#78 We found the road to Cloud Cap was closed.	#79 The Clark Creek crossing.	#80 The trail was easy, often bordered with huckleberry bushes.
#82 The Newton Creek crossing changes from year to year.	#86 A corner of Elk Meadows with Mt. Hood.	#93 Newton Creek and the mountain.