Rhododendrons line the way up Hidden Lake Trail #779 as it climbs the southwest side of Mt. Hood into the Mount Hood Wilderness. From the Hidden Lake Trailhead, near the end of Kiwanis Camp Road just past the Kiwanis Camp entrance, it reaches Hidden Lake in 2 miles. It’s really more of a pond, small and ringed by trees, but a pleasant place to stop.
Beyond the lake, the trail keeps climbing on a wooded ridge east of Zigzag Canyon to meet the Pacific Crest Trail at 5,720 feet, about 4 miles from the start and nearly 2,800 feet higher. Strong hikers can link the PCT and Trail #778 for a tough 12.2-mile loop.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Connects to: Little Zigzag Falls Trail #795C
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
- Follow US Highway 26 for 22 miles east of Sandy and turn left (north) at Kiwanis Camp Road (Forest Road 2639), approximately 0.6 mile east of milepost 48.
- Travel 2.2 miles on Kiwanis Camp Road to the parking area near the end of the road.
- The trail begins just past Kiwanis Camp entrance in a wide parking area on the left.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply in Mount Hood Wilderness.
Passes and permits
A valid Recreation Pass is required at the Hidden Lake Trailhead from May 1 to October 31.
Ranger office
Zigzag Ranger District
Address: 70220 E Highway 26 Zigzag, OR 97049
Phone: 503-622-3191
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)
Trails nearby
Little Zigzag Falls Trail #795C
1.2 mi
311 ft
Easy
Pioneer Bridle Trail #795
16 mi
2,488 ft
Very hard
Paradise Park Trail #778
13.8 mi
3,574 ft
Very hard
Crosstown Trail #755
5.4 mi
618 ft
Moderate
Mountaineer Trail #798
2.6 mi
1,104 ft
Moderate
Wally’s Tie Trail #755A
0.6 mi
13 ft
Easy
Maggie’s Trail #753
0.8 mi
80 ft
Easy
Paradise Park Loop Trail #757
4.8 mi
1,195 ft
Hard
Lucy’s Trail #752
0.4 mi
21 ft
Easy
Mirror Lake Trail #664
7 mi
1,695 ft
Hard
Camp Creek Loop Trail #754
2.4 mi
414 ft
Easy
Skiway Trail #755B
1.4 mi
258 ft
Easy
