BACKPACKING THE AMERICAN WEST
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  Dan and I are getting ready for our long fall trip and decided to backpack from Cloud Cap on the NE side of Mt. Hood over to Elk Cove on the north side.  Somehow I had never been on this trail.  Let me say this:  Do this trail !!  With some caveats.  There's considerable elevation gain/loss, over 2000 feet.  Lots of up and down in other words.  There are two iffy stream crossings, one at Elliot Creek at the start and then at Coe Creek at the end.  Rumor has it that a bridge will be built over Elliot Creek in late August 2017.  Another caveat is that if you go during high season (like August) get to Elk Cove very early and find a campsite.  It's a very large area but there are very few good campsites anywhere near the one source of water running along with west side of the cove.  The place was full and we counted at least 70 more arrivals.  People were camping 1/4 to 1/2 mile from water.  So if you can't arrive early then bring a way to carry a lot of water to camp.  There are no or very few camping spots between Cloud Cap and Elk Cove unless you can carry enough water for the night.
   But the trail itself is spectacular, passing several beautiful little streams in deep green grottos, and 2 or 3 powerful glacial streams leaping off waterfalls and diving beneath snow banks.  There are wildflowers everywhere in great abundance, in season.  And excellent views of Mt. Hood's most rugged side.  As you drop down to Coe Creek look for huckleberries in season.  There were plenty and they were really good.
   Much of this trail passes through or just above the huge Dollar Fire burn area.  There's a lot of fireweed and thousands of dead trees but it's not as unpleasant as some hikes through burns can be.  In fact, it's often beautiful in a stark sort of way.
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