Zigzag Canyon

Distance: 4.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 750 feet.

Zigzag Canyon carves a deep gash down the southwestern flank of Mt Hood. Here, the power of erosion is put on full display as a combination of the grinding power of the Zigzag Glacier and the continued carving done by the Zigzag River have scoured out a canyon hundred of feet deep into Mt Hood. The views for the rim are breathtaking, with the glaciers and rock of Mt Hood at tis head and the tiny ribbon of the Zigzag River winding its way along the canyon floor. This is one of the easily accessible hikes on Mt Hood, with the trail starting right at Timberline Lodge, so don’t expect much solitude. But you’ll see that the crowds have good reason for heading out to this remarkable overlook.

The hike begins right at the Timberline Lodge and ski area. Once you park and are headed up the road to the designated lodge guest parking area, look for the sign directing you up a flight of stairs to the PCT. This trail will merge with a service road and climb almost 200 feet in a quarter mile or so. Watch for another sign directing you to the PCT on your left and then you’re off!

From here, the trail begins its long but fairly gradual downhill grade towards Zigzag canyon. You will pass under the Magic Mile and Stormin Norman chairlifts and finally enter the wilderness area after a mile. The trail passes through Little Zigzag canyon and can get a little loose and steep, but it’s just a little canyon. Keep trekking around the headwall of another canyon and at 2.3 miles, come to an overlook of mighty Zigzag Canyon.

Zigzag Canyon plummets about 500 feet straight down in front of you. Gaze upwards at the cool rock mesas and cliffs and the little twinkling sliver of water that is the Zigzag River churning below. If you look across the canyon, that grassy area above the trees is Paradise Park. If you have a couple thousand more feet of climbing in you, and about 8 more miles, then consider heading down and across this mighty canyon. If not turn aroudn and head back the way you came. And remember, its pretty much uphill the whole way back. Oh did, I forget to mention that. Yeah, its uphill on the way back. Sucker.

Directions

Timberline Lodge is pretty easy to find. Just head towards Mt Hood on Highway 26 from wherever you are. A third of a mile east of Government Camp, there will be a sign directing you to Timberline. Take that turn (left if you are coming from Portland, right from Central Oregon) and head the 5 miles up the twisty, curvy road to Timberline Lodge and ski area.

Things to Know

Passes: A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at this trailhead and a self-issue wilderness permit is required once entering the wilderness.

Dogs: Allowed and must be on leash or under voice command at all times.

Usage: Heavy

Open Season: The trail will usually melt out sometime in July and remain snow free until late October or early November.

Bugs: Mosquitos and flies can be bad during the early summer, with mosquitos first, followed by black flies in August.

Flowers: This area is famous for its wildflowers. July and August are usually the peak months.