Timberline Trail Completely Reopen After Ten years

After ten years of work, the Timberline Trail is finally completely reopen, allowing hikers to make the 41-mile route along Oregon's tallest peak, Mt. Hood. The path had been the focus of a detour since 2006 when a debris flow washed out the Elliot Branch Crossing.

That forced a 1.5 mile re-route.

"Hikers will now be able to circumnavigate Mt. Hood along the entire 41 mile route," the United States Forest Services said in a release. "The trail travels through alpine vistas, waterfalls, meadows and west side Cascade forest as it climbs in and out of glacial fed drainages throughout its length."

The United States Forest Service says areas such as Elliot Branch Crossing and the other fast moving river fords are the most challenging part of the trail. There are no bridges in this area. A permanent bridge was considered but it was determined to not be feasible.

So, the decision was made to relocation that section of the trail.

Wilderness permits are required to hike the trail between May 15 and October 15 and group size is limited to 12.

The forest service says that groups such as Trail Keepers of Oregon, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Mt. Hood Wilderness Stewards and Mazamas supported moving the trail and Oregon Woods from Eugene constructed the re-route.

Photo: Adam Simmons via Wikimedia Commons