BACKPACKING THE AMERICAN WEST
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Backpack to Paradise Park, mount Hood, Oregon, October 2022

Paul and I took the standard route from Timberline Lodge west then a little north around Mount Hood to Paradise Park for a two-night trip in October.  We have never seen Mount Hood this terribly dry.  Back in normal times we would have had rain by now and the higher elevations would have at least a dusting of snow.  Not so this time.  We were on the PCT/Timberline Trail and then on the Paradise Park trail.

The first day and night were VERY windy and we ended up heading into our tents early just to get out of the blowing grit.  Monday morning was still breezy but the winds subsided through the day.  We took a day hike on around the mountain across Paradise Park.  We then walked up toward the headwaters of the Sandy River and its impressive canyon. I'd never seen the famous split rock with it's plaques commemorating two outdoor pioneers both born in the mid-1800s.  

The night was calm and too warm.  Again, not the former norm for October, but it's becoming the new norm.  Tuesday was the day to backpack out.  Paul had a reason to hurry and I didn't so we split up and I took my time.  From the rim of Zigzag Canyon to the floor the trail loses 1000 feet.  From the floor to the high part of the other rim the trail gains 1200 feet.  To my mind, hiking this canyon can give someone a feel for the scale of Mount Hood, but keep in mind that Mount Adams, Mount Shasta, and the giant Mount Rainier are much larger.  It's a good way to get some perspective.  

Paradise Park is loaded with campsites and from what I've read it's also loaded with tents during the season.  There are vast wildflower meadows there and several water sources early in the year that diminish or disappear by October, but so far there's always water.  The Timberline Trail is sort of like a semi-busy city park with huge numbers of people doing the hike around the mountain.  I picked up some trash but for the most part the place was in good condition.  The round-trip hike is 12-14 miles depending upon where you choose to camp.
Along the Timberline/Pacific Crest Trail - Weebly really trashes video!
Small falls in Zigzag Canyon​- Weebly really trashes video!
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