For one of the shorter routes to Timberline Trail #600 on Mount Hood’s north side, try Vista Ridge Trail #626 in the Mount Hood Wilderness. It starts on Road 1650, reached from Hood River by the Dee Highway and Roads 18 and 16. The road’s final half mile is very rough.
After a bit of old road, the trail enters the woods and keeps right where the abandoned Vista Ridge Scenic Trail branches off. It crosses a hillside, dips into a small ravine and climbs the ridge at a moderate grade until Mount Hood fills the view at the Eden Park Trail #600H junction. Cairn Basin, Wy’East Basin, Eden Park, Elk Cove and Barrett Spur are all nearby.
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: Eden Park Trail #600H
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 Hood River
- drive south on Hwy 281 (Dee Hwy) for 13 miles.
- Turn right at a sign for Dee and Lost Lake.
- Immediately bear to the left, following signs for Lost Lake.
- After 8 miles turn left on Road 18 (Lolo Pass) and continue for 3 more miles.
- Turn left again on Road 16.
- After 5.5 miles, turn right onto Road 1650 and follow to trailhead.
- Caution: the last .5 mile of road is very rough
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply
Passes and permits
A Wilderness permit is required to enter a Wilderness in Mt Hood National Forest from May 15 through October 15.
Season details
Usually accessibly in July
Trails nearby
Eden Park Trail #600H
3.4 mi
1,011 ft
Moderate
Pinnacle Ridge Trail #630
6 mi
2,160 ft
Hard
Timberline Trail #600
58.6 mi
16,475 ft
Very hard
Mazama Trail #625
7.6 mi
2,228 ft
Hard
Elk Cove Trail #631
10 mi
2,323 ft
Very hard
McGee Creek Trail #627
3.2 mi
895 ft
Moderate
Yocum Ridge Trail #771
7.8 mi
2,129 ft
Hard
Top Spur Trail #785
1 mi
348 ft
Easy
