Elk Meadows Trailhead sits on a short leftover piece of the old Mount Hood Loop road, just off OR Highway 35 in the Hood River Ranger District. Coming from Government Camp, it’s roughly 10 miles: east on US 26, north on OR 35 past the Mount Hood Meadows interchange, then left at the next junction for half a mile.
Several trails start here or link up nearby, including Sahalie Falls, Umbrella Falls, Elk Meadows, Bluegrass Ridge, Newton Creek, and the Timberline Trail, and some of them run into the Mount Hood Wilderness. The trailhead has picnic tables and signs explaining the area’s glacial streams. There’s no drinking water.
Getting there
- From Government Camp, OR take US Highway 26 east for 2 miles then take OR 35 north for 7.8 miles.
- Pass Mount Hood Meadows interchange, and turn left onto a section of the old Mount Hood Loop at the next intersection and drive .5 miles.
- The trailhead is on the right.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness regulations apply within Mount Hood Wilderness.
All fees
Day use: $5/vehicle/day May 1 through October 31.
Passes and permits
Recreation Passes may be used as a form of day use fee payment.
