Timberline Trail Backpacking Guide: How to Hike the Timberline Trail Around Mount Hood

The Timberline Trail around Mount Hood is one of the most iconic backpacking trips in the Pacific Northwest. This 40-mile loop circles Oregon’s highest peak, taking you through wildflower-filled alpine meadows, past roaring glacial waterfalls, across lava fields, and into dense old-growth forest. The views of Mount Hood are constant and ever-changing, and you’ll also catch stunning glimpses of Mount Adams, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, and Mount Jefferson on clear days.

It’s a challenging trail – there are river crossings with no bridges, significant elevation gain, and sections above treeline that are exposed to the elements – but it’s absolutely worth every step. This Timberline Trail backpacking guide will tell you everything you need to know to plan your adventure!

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About the Timberline Trail

The Timberline Trail is a loop trail in Mount Hood National Forest that circumnavigates Mount Hood. The trail passes through the Mount Hood Wilderness, crossing two ranger districts and intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail for about 10 miles on the western side of the mountain.

What makes this trail so special is the sheer variety of terrain. You’ll go from lush Pacific Northwest rainforest on the west side to exposed, other-worldly volcanic rock on the east side – sometimes within just a few miles. Elevation ranges from about 3,480 feet near Ramona Falls to roughly 7,300 feet on the exposed eastern flank of the mountain. It’s dramatic, it’s beautiful, and it’s a loop!

Timberline Trail Stats

• Distance: 41.1 miles (66.1 kilometers) round trip
• Elevation Gain: 9852 feet (3000 meters)
• Difficulty: Hard – it’s a 40 mile trail, so it definitely can’t be easy! But, it’s not terribly difficult for a backpacking trip, though this does depend a lot on the season. Make sure to read the section about river crossings, because that’s likely going to be the biggest challenge.
• Hike Time: I backpacked this trail over three days, and 2-4 days is recommended. Not including time spent at camp (but including all breaks throughout the day, and I do like to take my time), hiking this trail took me about 32 hours and 10 minutes. You can check out my hike on Strava – here’s Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3!

Leave No Trace

Any time you’re in the backcountry, practicing Leave No Trace is essential. LNT is a set of seven principles that help us understand our impact on the outdoors – because while we usually have good intentions, the environment is more fragile than we think, and one snap-second decision can cause damage to the environment that will take the earth years, even decades to repair. The Timberline Trail backpacking route is a popular and heavily trafficked one, which means the environment is under a lot of pressure, and your choices really do matter.

Here’s how LNT applies on the Timberline Trail:

• Plan ahead and prepare – read this guide, check current trail conditions before you go, and make sure you have the right gear for the weather and river crossings. And have a map! I highly recommend using Far Out for this one.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces – camp on previously used sites, and avoid trampling plant life. No camping within 100 feet of any lake, stream, or the PCT, and no camping in meadows (including Elk Cove and Elk Meadows).
• Dispose of waste properly – pack out all trash. Use a trowel for catholes and pack out your toilet paper.
• Leave what you find – leave rocks, wildflowers, and any natural objects where they are.
• Minimize campfire impacts – only build fires in established fire rings. Check current fire restrictions before your trip, as they change seasonally.
• Respect wildlife – don’t approach wild animals, and never feed them. Bear sightings are rare here, and special food storage isn’t required, but do make sure to keep your food stored safely away from animals.
• Be considerate of other visitors – yield to uphill hikers, and be respectful – no speakers or loud music.

The Best Time to Hike the Timberline Trail

The best time to hike the Timberline Trail is mid-July through September. The trail sits at high elevation, and snow can linger well into June or even early July in some years – especially on the north side of the mountain near Cloud Cap. River crossings are also most dangerous during peak snowmelt in late spring and early summer, when glacial rivers run fast and cold.

By mid-July, the snow has typically melted enough to make the full loop passable, and the wildflowers are absolutely incredible. August is peak season – the weather is the most reliable, the days are long, and the trail is in its best shape. Just know that the trail is very popular in August, and campsites at the best spots (like Elk Cove and Paradise Park) fill up early in the day, so plan to arrive at your campsite well before late afternoon.

September is a beautiful time to hike – the crowds thin out, the wildflowers give way to fall colors, and the weather is still generally stable, though afternoon thunderstorms become more common. Early October is possible, but trail conditions can deteriorate quickly with early snowfall.

The biggest concern (for me) was river crossings. I did my Timberline Trail backpacking trip in early September, and this was a great time – all of the river crossings were easy and didn’t feel risky at all. Hiking earlier in the season can mean more snowmelt, making the river crossings much more dangerous. This varies by season, so I recommend reading reviews on Far Out.

Are Dogs allowed on the Timberline Trail?

Dogs are allowed, but really not recommended. Even if your dog is an experienced backpacker, there are river crossings that can be tough, and one section where you have to use ropes to climb up the rock wall.

Don’t Forget Your Pass!

Here’s the good news: parking at the Timberline Lodge trailhead is free. It’s managed by the state of Oregon and does not require a Northwest Forest Pass. This makes it the easiest and most wallet-friendly place to start!

However, if you park at any of the other trailheads, you will need to display a valid pass. Specifically, you’ll need one of the following:

• A Northwest Forest Pass (day pass $5, annual pass $30–$40)
• An America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year, covers all national forests and national parks across the country)

If you visit national forests or national parks more than a couple of times a year, the America the Beautiful Pass is absolutely worth it – it’ll pay for itself quickly. I recommend grabbing one online ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about it when you arrive.

Regardless of where you start, you also need a self-issued wilderness permit for any overnight trip. The permit is free and available at permit stations at the trailheads – just fill it out before you hit the trail.

What to Bring to Hike the Timberline Trail

When you hike the Timberline Trail, here’s what you’ll need to bring! To see all of my favorite gear picks, you can check out my Rockporch.

What to Wear to Hike the Timberline Trail

• Sun Shirt – this is my favorite thing to wear on hikes, as it provides sun protection while keeping you cool. I like the Mountain Hardware Crater Lake Hoodie, and the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie.
• Hiking Pants – I love the REI Trailmade Shorts and usually hike in them, but if you’re hiking in the cold, or want protection from ticks and bugs, I recommend the Trailmade Pants.
• Layers – it can definitely get chilly as you gain elevation, so a lightweight windbreaker or a fleece is a good idea. For cold weather hikes, a down jacket will keep you warm.
• Hiking Shoes – I prefer hiking in sandals and usually hike in my Chacos, but boots are a good idea if you need more ankle support. I love my Danner boots!
• Socks – I love the Darn Tough socks whether I’m wearing sandals or boots. They’re wool, so they stay warm even when wet, and have some padding that’s extra comfy for long days on the trail!

What to Bring for a Timberline Trail Backpacking Trip

You’ll need a few more things if you’re backpacking the Timberline Trail!

• Water Filter – There are plenty of options for filtering water along the trail, so you don’t need to pack a ton of water in for this one. I use a Sawyer Squeeze with a CNOC bladder for filtering, and I filter it into this CNOC collapsible water bottle.
• Tent – somewhere to sleep! I love my super light Big Agnes Tiger Wall tent, along with the footprint.
• Sleeping Bag – I actually use a quilt instead of a bag, and I love this one from Enlightened Equipment.
• Sleeping Pad – an essential for a comfy night of sleep! I use this Therm-a-Rest pad.
• Camp Stove – there’s nothing like having a hot meal on the mountain. I use an MSR Pocket Rocket stove, which is incredibly small, along with this GSI Cookset.
• Backpack – I recently got a ULA Circuit, and absolutely love it!
• Headlamp – an essential for seeing after it gets dark.
• Trowel – for digging catholes.
• Bidet – I like to bring a bidet so that I can carry less toilet paper. I use this one and attach it to my CNOC water bottle.
• Kula Cloth – again, less toilet paper. If you squat to pee, a Kula Cloth is kind of life changing.
• Kindle – essential for entertainment at camp!
• Sunscreen – no matter the time of year, make sure to protect yourself from the sun.
• Trekking Poles – hiking with poles can help with stability, and can be especially helpful if you have knee pain going downhill. Poles are also exteremely helpful for river crossings on this trail!

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Which Trailhead to Start at for the Timberline Trail?

Because the Timberline Trail is a loop, you can start from several different points. Here are the main options:

• Timberline Lodge – This is by far the most popular starting point, and for good reason. It’s on a fully paved road, has flush toilets, free parking, and you can even grab a meal at the lodge before or after your hike. Most Timberline Trail backpackers start here. The lodge sits at about 6,000 feet on the south face of Mount Hood.

• Cloud Cap Campground – Located on the north side of the mountain, Cloud Cap puts you right on the trail and gives you a dramatically different starting perspective — you begin on the wilder, less-crowded northern flank. The road in is a long dirt road (doable in a low-clearance vehicle, slowly), and a Northwest Forest Pass is required to park here.

• Top Spur Trailhead – About 1 hour 15 minutes from Portland, Top Spur is a popular access point with a large parking lot. From the trailhead, it’s a 0.4-mile approach hike (with 379 feet of gain) to reach the Timberline Trail. A Northwest Forest Pass is required. This is also a popular day hiking trailhead, so the lot can fill up quickly on weekends.

• Ramona Falls Trailhead – From this trailhead, it’s a 1.7-mile approach hike to reach the PCT/Timberline Trail. A Northwest Forest Pass is required. The parking lot is large and usually has space.

My recommendation: Start at Timberline Lodge. It’s the easiest logistically, has the best amenities, and gives you immediate access to some of the most stunning scenery on the route. Plus, the free parking and facilities make it hard to beat.

River Crossings When Backpacking the Timberline Trail

One of the most important things to understand before you hike the Timberline Trail is the river crossings. The Timberline Trail has several unbridged river crossings – and some of them can be genuinely dangerous, especially early in the season. This is not a trail where you can just show up and wing it. Read this section carefully!

The rivers that feed the Timberline Trail come from Mount Hood’s glaciers, which means they are glacially fed, ice cold, and run fastest when temperatures are warmest. The crossings are typically at their most dangerous from May through early July, when snowmelt is at its peak. By mid-July through September, most crossings become much more manageable – though they can still be knee-deep or higher.

The Main River Crossings

There are several crossings on the Timberline Trail backpacking route, and I won’t describe them in detail because the conditions when I went are likely to be very different from the conditions when you go. That’s the tricky thing about river crossings – they can change a ton! I will say that I hiked in early September, and the river crossings were a breeze. Most could be crossed by rock hopping or had log bridges across them, and when I did have to ford the river, the deepest water I encountered was a little under knee deep (I’m 5’5″, for reference). So I highly recommend waiting until later in the season to backpack the Timberline Trail, and no matter when you go, check the Far Out app for most recent conditions – it’s the absolute best way to be prepared. I do recommend that if you don’t want your shoes to get wet, bring some sandals or water shoes for crossings.

Here are the biggest river crossings to be prepared for:

• Zigzag River
• Sandy River
• Muddy Fork
• Coe Creek
• Eliot Creek
• Newton Creek
• White River

Tips for Crossing Rivers Safely

River crossings sound intimidating, but with the right approach they’re very manageable:

• Time your crossings for the morning. Glacial rivers run fastest in the afternoon when the sun has been melting the glaciers all day. If you can, try to be at your major crossings before noon – the water will be significantly lower and slower.
• Unbuckle your hip belt and chest strap before crossing. If you fall, you need to be able to get out of your pack quickly. Keep those buckles undone until you’re safely across.
• Use trekking poles. A good pair of trekking poles gives you a third (and fourth) point of contact in the current and makes a huge difference for stability.
• Face upstream and move sideways. Moving perpendicular to the current – sideways, shuffling steps – gives you the most stability. Don’t face downstream or turn your back to the current.
• Find the widest point to cross. Wide and shallow is almost always safer than narrow and deep, even if the wide section looks more intimidating.
• Never cross alone if you can help it. If you’re hiking with others, use a line or hold each other’s packs to create a human chain. Even just having a hiking partner nearby for safety makes a huge difference.
• Check recent trip reports. Water levels vary dramatically year to year and even week to week. Always check recent reports on Far Out to get the most current crossing conditions.

If a crossing looks too dangerous – turn around or wait. It’s never worth risking your life! As someone who often hikes solo, I also find it can sometimes be helpful to wait for other people to get there, either to do it first so you see how to safely cross, or to just be there with you in case you need help.

Which Direction Should You Hike the Timberline Trail?

Since the Timberline Trail is a loop, you can hike it clockwise or counterclockwise.

The most common direction is clockwise (heading west from Timberline Lodge), and that’s what most guides recommend. Going clockwise means you tackle the popular and beautiful western sections (including Paradise Park and Ramona Falls) early, and save the wild, exposed eastern side for later in the trip. The views of Mount Hood on the eastern side are absolutely jaw-dropping, and having those be your “grand finale” moment is pretty special.

That being said, I hiked in counterclockwise and have no regrets. Doing this means that the last 10 miles are pretty much all uphill, which was brutal. However, these miles were shaded and went through the forest. Going clockwise, you’d have a lot of uphill in exposed sections, some of which are soft and sandy. I liked going counterclockwise, but do what feels best for you!

How Many Days Do You Need to Hike the Timberline Trail?

Most backpackers take 3 to 4 days to complete the loop. I took three days, which was perfect. I actually packed for four days because my goal was three but I thought that might be too ambitious for me, but I was feeling good and finished in three days.

Can You Hike the Timberline Trail in One Day?

You could, and people do – but it’s hard! You have to have a lot of confidence in your abilities to hike fast if you do this.

Timberline Trail two Day Itinerary

Day 1: Start at Timberline Lodge and go clockwise → Elk Cove (22.1 miles).

Day 2: Elk Cove → Timberline Lodge (19 miles).

Timberline Trail Three Day Itinerary

This is what I did, so I’ll share my itinerary for this one!

Day 1: Start at Timberline Lodge and go counterclockwise. Camp at Newton Creek for easier access to water, but I carried water and walked a little further to a campsite in a grove of trees, shortly below Gnarl Ridge. Use Far Out to see where the campsites are! The distance is 9.6 miles, but my Garmin clocked it at 11.34 miles, so I’m not sure which is more accurate.

Day 2: Gnarl Ridge → McGee Creek (13.2 miles, but my Garmin said 15.91).

Day 3: McGee Creek → Timberline Lodge (18.4 miles, but my Garmin said 19.28).

Timberline Trail Four Day Itinerary

Day 1: Start at Timberline Lodge and go clockwise → Ramona Falls (10.2 miles)

Day 2: Ramona Falls → Elk Cove (11.8 miles)

Day 3: Elk Cove → Gnarl Ridge (9.1 miles)

Day 4: Gnarl Ridge → Timberline Lodge (10 miles)

Where to Stay Near the Timberline Trail

If you’re driving in for your Timberline Trail backpacking adventure, the nearest town is Government Camp, Oregon — a small mountain village right at the base of Mount Hood, about 5 miles from Timberline Lodge. It has a few restaurants, a small grocery store, and some great lodging options for your night before or after the trail.

Portland International Airport (PDX) is the closest major airport, about 45 miles away. From there, it’s an easy drive east on US-26 (the Mount Hood Scenic Highway) to reach Government Camp.

Hotels Near the Timberline Trail

Here are a few hotels near the Timberline Trail. You can find more on Booking.com!

• Best Western Mt. Hood Inn – This is the most convenient hotel option right in Government Camp, and it’s genuinely great for a pre- or post-hike stay. It offers a complimentary hot breakfast, a hot tub (perfect after 40 miles on your feet!), free WiFi, and private parking. It’s right next to Mt. Hood SkiBowl and just a few minutes from Timberline Lodge.
• The Clyde – This spacious, modern 4-bedroom vacation home is right in the heart of Government Camp – a two-minute walk to restaurants and bars, ski-in/ski-out access to Ski Bowl East, and a 10-minute drive to Timberline Lodge. It has a year-round outdoor pool, a balcony with mountain views, an outdoor fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, free parking, and free WiFi.
• Government Camp Rental House – If you’re heading to the Timberline Trail with a big group, this one is hard to beat. This vacation home sleeps 14 people and comes with a hot tub, a sauna, a fire pit, mountain views, a garden, and free WiFi – basically everything you could want for a post-40-mile celebration.

Cabins, Glamping, & Yurts

For a unique place to stay during your trip, check out Hipcamp! It’s like Airbnb for campsites – and you can find yurts (like this one), cabins, glamping sites, and more. 

You can even get $10 off your first booking here!

A Camper van

With a camper van, you get a vehicle and a place to sleep, all in one! This is my favorite way to travel, and you can rent a fully decked out van with Escape Campervans. Another option is to use Outdoorsy, which is more like Airbnb – you can rent vans, RVs, and trailers from people who live nearby! There are campsites in the park, but I recommend staying just outside of it, because it’ll be quieter, and easier to find a spot. I recommend using The Dyrt – it’s the best way to find campsites. You can use the free version to find campsites, but with The Dyrt Pro you’ll also be able to see the boundaries of national forest land just outside of the park. You can stay in one of the paid campsites, or, in the national forest, you can camp just about anywhere for free! You can try The Dyrt before you commit, so click here for a free trial.

There are plenty of options for free camping nearby – so check out this guide to learn how to find free campsites!

More Adventures After the Timberline Trail

Have you done a Timberline Trail backpacking trip, or are you adding it to your bucket list? Let me know in a comment below!

More Oregon adventures:

• Ultimate Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary
• Crater Lake Travel Guide
• Best Hikes on the Oregon Coast

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