Highlights
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 8 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
Season: July and August
Notes:
About this Hike
Vista Ridge is perhaps one of the most scenic trails on Mount Hood, with amazing views of the dramatic north side of Mount Hood and its glaciers. The main attraction, however, is the wildflower show in August. If you didn’t get enough of Oregon’s wildflower’s earlier in the summer you’re in luck, because Vista Ridge is one of the last places in Oregon for the wildflowers to bloom. Typically the snow melts out by early August in these high elevation areas on the north side of Mount Hood and the flowers follow quickly after.
Getting There
Take U.S. Highway 26 east of Portland until you reach Zigzag, and then head north on Lolo Pass Road (National Forest Road 18). Continue onto Road 1810 (don’t take Road 18 on the left), and drive for 3 miles before rejoining Road 18. Continue 3.5 miles until reaching Road 16, and drive for 5.5 miles to Road 1650. (The last half mile is fairly rought.) Follow this road to a small parking area.
Take Action
Sections of this trail are under protection from the Wilderness Act, while other parts are unprotected and still threatened by harmful practices such as logging. Oregon Wild has been working hard to push back against destructive logging proposals for this land, and successfully stopped a timber sale in 2014. Although the unprotected sections of this trail are still in danger, they are part of the proposed Mount Hood Wilderness. Learn more about these efforts here.
