Timberline Trail: Timberline Lodge to Ramona Falls Trailhead (2024)
Updated: Jan 12
A one-night backpacking trip along a section of the Timberline Trail in Mount Hood National Forest.
Start: Timberline Lodge
End: Ramona Falls Trailhead
Access: Trail
Total Distance: 14.52 miles
Total Elevation Range: 2435' to 6093'
Total Ascent/Descent: +1303 ft/-4732 ft
Number of Nights: 1
Direction: Clockwise
Campsite Area: Rushing Water Creek
Route Type: Point-to-point
Outing Type: Backpacking Trip
Permits/Fees: Northwest Forest Pass required at parking lots and free wilderness permit at trailhead required for trail.
Location: Along the west side of Mt Hood in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon, U.S.A.
Administration: Mount Hood National Forest
Ranger District: Zigzag Ranger District
Wilderness Area: Mount Hood Wilderness
Other Posts: Timberline Trail,
Dates: July 31, 2024 to August 1, 2024
The backpacking trip I had originally planned to do with my dad, uncle, and cousin wasn't an option due to the Retreat Fire in Washington. So, I had to last minute switch plans and we decided to backpack the Timberline Trail. I had a trip near Mt. Adams that would have been really cool, but the mosquitos are notoriously bad in that area until later in summer, so after taking the weather, fire activity, bugs, and drive time into consideration, I decided the Timberline Trail would be the best option. I went into it with the idea that we could go as far as we wanted. If we completed the whole loop great! If we didn't, that works too. I was hoping I'd be able to handle a few days backpacking, but that wasn't the case.
Day 1 - Timberline Lodge to Rushing Water Creek
Distance: 10.77 miles
Elevation Range: 3455' to 6093'
Ascent/Descent: +1260 ft/-3676 ft
Campsite: Near Rushing Water Creek
Water Crossings: Zigzag River
Points of Interest: Paradise Park, view of Paradise Branch Falls
Date: July 31, 2024
We started our hike from Timberline at 8:15am. Visibility was surprisingly good for it being fire season. We were able to see Mt. Jefferson and Three Sisters clearly. The first part of the trail was easy with light up and downs while passing through the ski areas. We came across some other people on the trail and overall everyone was friendly. It was already warm out. The trail climbed up and down some ravines until we came to the ridge above the Zigzag River which we could seen way below us. There was a really cool view of the mountain from the rim. Someone offered to take a picture of us here so we got a group photo.
The trail then descended in switchbacks down to the Zigzag River. There was a group doing trail maintenance through this section. Once we reached the river, we scouted for the best place to cross. There was a wet log that reached across down stream that looked pretty sketchy so we decided to walk through instead. We changed into our sandals/water shoes and walked through the water. It only came up to right below mid calf, so it wasn't too bad. The water wasn't too silty either, so we were able to see the bottom. The cold water felt good on my feet. We stopped on the other side and ate some snacks before starting the trek uphill to Paradise Park.
The uphill was slow going, and the bugs started to become an annoyance. We put bug spray on and I put my sun hoodie back on. The main issue was flies, they weren't biting but there was a lot of them. My cousin and I hiked ahead. Once we reached Paradise Park, we all decided to hike on to Lost Creek and eat lunch there. We found a perfect spot to sit and eat by the creek. There were a lot of wildflowers out and in bloom, not as many as the last time I'd been through this area, but there was still a good amount out.
We had hummus for lunch and got to filter some fresh water from the creek. It was so nice and cold. I was surprised with how well I'd done so far during the day. My uncle decided he was going to get off trail the next day and the rest of us were still figuring out what we wanted to do.
After leaving Paradise Park the trail met back up with the PCT/Timberline Trail and we continued toward the Sandy River. The trail descended the entire way down and I started to hurt pretty bad. I was starting to have some pretty intense sensory issues and it was taking a very large toll on me mentally. The pain got to the point it was excruciating — my muscles felt like they were on fire and I was dealing with some pretty intense nerve pain throughout my feet. My body was not liking the miles of hiking downhill and losing 3600+ ft of elevation.
I had some solo cries along the trail. I started having to take breaks when I was starting to lose gaps in time and not know where I was. I had a few pretty intense dissociative episodes and a sensory overload episode. As we got closer to where we were planning to camp for the night, I had my cousin go ahead and see if he could get us a spot. I already decided I needed to get off trail the next day as well.
Once we got to camp I talked with my cousin and dad letting them know I was needing to get off trail too. I was spiraling pretty bad mentally in the evening, freaking out that backpacking was another thing that my chronic illnesses has fully taken away from me. Backpacking, sensory wise, isn't sustainable for me at this point. Even without the pain, the level of dissociation and overload I was experiencing made the last half of the day hell, combine that with the very high pain levels and it almost made this backpacking trip Type III fun.
We set up camp and made supper. We had dehydrated dal and yellow rice which was very good. It was still warm in the evening and supposed to stay fairly warm throughout the night.
After we hung our food and finished getting ready for the night I went to my tent and had a good solid cry. My sleeping pad seemed like it might not be holding air and I started to panic. I blew it up as much as I could and then came up with backups if it didn't hold air. If the pad didn't hold air it would have pushed this day firmly into Type III fun. The day had been way too much and I felt stupid for thinking I could do this.
It took a few days to get some perspective and not feel like I would never be able to backpack again. I just need to start smaller to give myself a chance and even if backpacking really isn't something I can tolerate in the future, there are other ways to experience the outdoors.
Day 2 - Rushing Water Creek to Ramona Falls TH
Distance: 3.75 miles
Elevation Range: 2435' to 3506'
Ascent/Descent: +43 ft/-1056 ft
Water Crossings: Sandy River (on Timberline Trail) & Sandy River (on Sandy River Trail)
Points of Interest: Paradise Park, view of Paradise Branch Falls
Date: August 1, 2024
I slept okay, not as terrible as some backpacking nights I've had in the past, but not great. My pad kept sliding throughout the night so I kept having to adjust it. I got up at 6am and worked on packing my stuff up. Thankfully the sleeping pad held air all night, so my fear of a leak was unfounded. It was muggy out and the air had a gross semi-warm feel to it already. The temp didn't drop below the 60's all night. It was hard to regulate temperature with the sleeping bag I had.
We started hiking at 7:30am. It was 0.3 miles down to the Sandy River crossing from where we camped. The only way across was through the water and it was swift. We scouted a spot and went for it. It came to right above my knees. The current was swift, so I had to drag my feet slowly across the bottom of the river bed so my feet didn't get swept out from under me. My dad really got how doing this kind of thing solo would be freaky for me. We all made it across in one piece.
We then hiked on mostly flat terrain, besides the initial bit of uphill from the Sandy River. We all talked on and off on the way back. We came across a few people but it was nothing like the masses of people I'd seen in 2020 when I last hiked this section.
We took the turn off from the PCT to the Sandy River Trail #770 until it brought us back to the Sandy River to cross. A while ago Forest Service stopped putting up a temporary footbridge during the summer months. We scouted up and down the river and decided it would be safest to walk through.
My mom surprised us by being on the other side of the river and took pictures and videos of us crossing. It was still a strong current and came to the knees in the deepest part, but was a bit easier than the first crossing. The river crossings gave me a real sense of accomplishment and also helped me face the fear that had gotten very big after my last backpacking trip along the Timberline Trail in 2020.
We hiked out to the Ramona Falls Trailhead together. I felt worn out and was done. When we got to the trailhead we took a picture and then we all piled in the truck to drive up to Timberline Lodge to get the car we'd left there and then we drove home.
I 100% recommend the Timberline Trail. Unfortunately, this backpacking trip ended up being a rather unpleasant one for me. It had nothing to do with the trail or conditions. It was a good gauge for testing my body and where my tolerance is at. My mom also reminded me I haven't even made it to a year post-surgery yet. My body just needs more time. The sensory and dissociation is out of my control, but I have been working on adding some new resources to my "tool box." So, I guess only time will tell what backpacking in the future looks like for me. I decided to be honest about my experience with this backpacking trip, because sometimes the realities of living with chronic & mental illness means some trips turn out like this one.
Water & Campsite Notes
Water Sources
On the descent to Zigzag River there are multiple small water sources along the trail (at least at this time of year)
On ascent to Paradise Park there is one water source crossing the trail: 45.34689, -121.74584
Lost Creek in Paradise Park is my favorite: 45.35171, -121.74619
NOTE: There isn't any water sources between Paradise Park and Rushing Water Creek
There was a tiny water source going across the trail near Rushing Water Creek: 45.37352, -121.77821
Rushing Water Creek
NOTE: The Sandy River is very silty and I wouldn't recommend it as a water source unless desperate
On the north side of the Sandy River along the PCT, there is a water source next to the trail, but I haven't drank from it and don't know how reliable it is
Campsites
There are numerous campsite options within Paradise Park area, at least 10
There ARE NOT any campsite options between Paradise Park and Rushing Water Creek
We camped near Rushing Water Creek about 150 feet above it and there was room for at least 8 tents throughout the forest. Only visible hazard was making sure not to camp under a widow maker: 45.37234, -121.77765
There were a few campsites along Rushing Water Creek right before the Sandy River Crossing that were visible from the trail
On the north side of the Sandy River, just a little way up the PCT, there is a huge area with multiple spots to camp (from what I've read it is a more popular area)
Favorite Views
Zigzag Canon Rim: 45.34230, -121.74115
Mt Hood from Lost Creek: 45.35173, -121.74626
View of Mt Hood near Split Rock: 45.35611, -121.74873
View of Paradise Branch Falls & Mt Hood: 45.36640, -121.75779
View of Mt Hood from Sandy River crossing: 45.37585, -121.77950
Gallery
River Crossings
Zigzag River
WA3 - Wet crossing, ankle- to calf-deep.
Fairly easy wet crossing. With some finesse someone could make this a WA2, but we felt safer doing it wet.
Sandy River
Sandy River (along Sandy River Trail)
Food Plan
I went into this backpacking trip planning on four days and agreed to make food for all four of us that were backpacking. It was quite the undertaking, but I enjoyed planning it. We had some really good meals. Even though we only did 2 days on trail, I'm still going to share the 4-day meal plan.
The idea was to do breakfast and suppers hot, while cold soaking lunches.
(C.S.) - Cold Soak
Day 1
Breakfast (at home) - Sourdough cinnamon rolls, fresh blueberries, hard boiled eggs, hash-browns, sausage links
Lunch (C.S.) - Dehydrated hummus and Stacey's Pita Chips
Supper - Dehydrated dal and yellow rice with fresh chapati
Snacks - Two homemade energy bars, mixed dried fruit, Austin Cheddar Cheese Crackers
Day 2
Breakfast - Two packets Quakers Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal
Lunch (C.S.) - Freeze-dried refried beans, Korrs spanish rice, Taco Bell hot sauce, Chili Cheese Fritos, True Lime packet
Supper - Ramen, mixed veggies, instant mashed potatoes
Snacks - Two homemade energy bars, trail mix, two mini candy bars
Day 3
Breakfast - Two packets Quakers Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal
Lunch (C.S.) - Pasta primavera
Supper - Yellow curry
Snacks - Two homemade energy bars, sesame sticks, two mini candy bars
Day 4
Breakfast - Two packets Quakers Maple & Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal
Lunch (C.S.) - Near East roasted garlic and olive oil couscous
Supper - (at home)
Snacks - Two homemade energy bars, freeze-dried mango, Austin Cheddar Cheese Crackers, Nutty Buddy bars
Gear
Resources
Trail Planning & Trip Reports
Weather
How to get there
Map
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