Section G Oregon

Hood to Lolo Pass

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By: Hobblet
July 1st, 2024

We started the trail on June 23, 2024. (Lodge) Lots of snow. It was slow going for us, but we had some trail runners in our wake that went far faster than we did. We had to rely on Gut Hooks to keep us on trail with all the drifts. It got better after ZigZag and Rushing Water Creek (Look to cross at the trail head marker between the two red rocks). We made it pretty easily there. This small section took us longer than we anticipated though and we cut off to wait for some of the snow to melt before continuing our hike. The azaleas are blooming and are beautiful if you are interested in hiking in at Romona Falls area.

PCT South of Buck Peak

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By: Leif Hovin
August 16th, 2023

The trail is still blocked to Equestrian and Stock, in the section 3/10 of a mile South of Buck Peak. Saw crews from both the Mt Hood Chapter and the Mt Hood National Forest have made progress in clearing the blowdowns from the September 2020 winds. There are about 6 logs blocking the trail, but hikers can still climb over or crawl under

Deadfall across trail

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By: Drake Stenger
June 21st, 2023

As of June 17, 2023 there are 123 downed trees between Lolo Pass (2115.2) and Whatum Lake (2131.3) and another 325 downed trees between Whatum Lake and Teakettle Spring (2140.0). The latter is designated wilderness in a burned area such that log out must be via hand tools only. Hikers can scramble over, under or around. Not passable to equestrians
Dyatripper

Horse falls off the trail near Zig Zag Canyon, Mt Hood

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By: Jack H
September 1st, 2022

Fallen trees present hazards trailwide, including on Mount Hood. Please see this article detailing an incident where a horse fell ~200 feet near Zig Zag Canyon while trying to cross a log.

https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2022/08/a-healing-miracle-after-a-horse-falls-200-feet-near-timberline-lodge.html

“As Mandt walked in front of Oriana on the steep, crumbling trail, she led the horse by a rope and encouraged the horse to weave between the fallen trees.

That’s when a stirrup on the horse’s saddle caught a log. Oriana lost her balance, then struggled to get her feet under her, tipping over.”

Equestrian obstacles in the Mount Hood region

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By: Leif
September 10th, 2021

PCTA Mount Hood Chapter logouts and efforts by all have greatly improved the trail after significant windstorm damage around Mt Hood. The section near Buck Peak, (TR#615 – 3/4 mile South, to 3 miles North) has not been cleared. It’s not as bad as the other areas were, but still not passible for stock.

The areas around the Zigzag Canyon and Little Zigzag Canyon are not yet to the point where they are stock friendly. Getting in and out of these two canyons requires some tricky equestrian skills to get up and down the steep backs and around the rocks.