One Day Wilderness-Elk Meadows

My One Day Wilderness posts are designed for great day hike/overnight ideas for folks that have limited outdoor time. Drive Hwy. 26 to 35 and then past Mt. Hood Meadows to Clark Sno Park on the left, about an 1.1/2 hours from Portland. A moderate 3.4 mi. trail leads to the Elk Meadows, a  big open meadow with lovely views of the east face of the mountain and tons of options. Take the Gnarl Ridge trail up to the Timberline Trail as you come out of the trees and into the meadows of the ridge, climb up to Lamberson Butte for better views of the waterfalls coming off the Newton Clark Glacier and the Mountain, about 4 mi. round trip. Or, take the Bluegrass Ridge Trail up to Elk Mountain, a 5600 ft. vantage point that gets you a spectacular view of the Mountain and out to the east side of the state, 2 mi. round trip from the meadows. Do yourself a favor and saddle up in the Meadows at one of the lovely camps by the shelter and do these options as a day hike.

Elk Meadows

High up on the Timberline Trail