On Mount Hood’s east flank, Gnarl Ridge Trail #652 makes a short climb through the Mount Hood Wilderness from Elk Meadows Trail #645 up to the Timberline Trail #600. The grade is moderate, rising from about 5,260 feet to 5,700 feet, and the views are wide.
Heading northwest, you reach Gnarl Ridge Cutoff Trail #652A after 0.7 mile, and the Timberline Trail is another 0.3 mile on. It is a favorite connection for hikers coming up Newton Creek Trail #646 toward the Timberline Trail. Hikers start at the Elk Meadows Trailhead, on the Mt. Hood Meadows lower access road off Highway 35.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 2 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Hood River
Connects to: Bluegrass Ridge Trail #647, Gnarl Ridge Cut Off Trail #652A, Elk Meadows Trail #645
More about the Mount Hood Wilderness and its trails →
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Getting there
- From Portland, OR head east on Highway 26 to the junction of Highway 35.
- Head north on Highway 35 to the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski area lower access road to the Elk Meadows Trailhead.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply
Season details
July
Trails nearby
Bluegrass Ridge Trail #647
12.2 mi
3,084 ft
Very hard
Gnarl Ridge Cut Off Trail #652A
1.2 mi
385 ft
Easy
Elk Meadows Trail #645
17.6 mi
3,439 ft
Very hard
Timberline Trail #600
58.6 mi
16,475 ft
Very hard
Newton Creek Trail #646
3.6 mi
1,010 ft
Moderate
Elk Meadows Bluegrass Tie Trail #647B
0.6 mi
413 ft
Easy
Elk Mountain Vista Trail #647C
0.4 mi
47 ft
Easy
Sahalie Falls Trail #667C
4.2 mi
873 ft
Moderate
Umbrella/Sahalie Falls Trail #667
6.4 mi
1,420 ft
Hard
East Fork Trail #650
14 mi
1,820 ft
Very hard
Tilly Jane Trail #600A
3.4 mi
1,077 ft
Moderate
