The Skiway Trail #755B is named for the old Skiway lift, which ran from Thunderhead Lodge in Government Camp to Timberline Lodge during the early 1950s. The trail parallels the lower part of that lift line, so anyone staying in town can start right outside, with views of Mt. Hood and Skibowl.
Its wide clearing suits skiing and snowshoeing, though cross-country skiers and mountain bikers rate it most difficult for its few steep pitches. The trail sign is on Government Camp Loop Road by the Thunderhead Sno-Park. Add Wally’s Tie and Crosstown trails for a loop of about 1.75 miles, or Crosstown and Maggie’s Trail #753 for about 2.25 miles.
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: Wally’s Tie Trail #755A, Maggie’s Trail #753, Crosstown Trail #755
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
- take US Hwy 26 28 miles east of Sandy to Government Camp.
- Take a left (north) at Government Camp Loop Road and travel 0.3 mile to Thunderhead Sno-park.
- You will see the Skiway Trailhead sign on the north side of the road, just east of Thunderhead Lodge.
- Please don’t park in the Thunderhead Lodge parking lot.
From the Forest Service
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
Wally’s Tie Trail #755A
0.6 mi
13 ft
Easy
Maggie’s Trail #753
0.8 mi
80 ft
Easy
Crosstown Trail #755
5.4 mi
618 ft
Moderate
Camp Creek Loop Trail #754
2.4 mi
414 ft
Easy
Lucy’s Trail #752
0.4 mi
21 ft
Easy
Summit Trail #691
4 mi
430 ft
Moderate
Mirror Lake Trail #664
7 mi
1,695 ft
Hard
Barlow Trail #601A
1.4 mi
218 ft
Easy
Pioneer Bridle Trail #795
16 mi
2,488 ft
Very hard
Hidden Lake Trail #779
8.4 mi
2,694 ft
Very hard
Mountaineer Trail #798
2.6 mi
1,104 ft
Moderate
Eureka Peak Trail #671
2.4 mi
972 ft
Moderate
