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Elk Meadows Trail #645 - 2 members in 4 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
4 triplogs
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Sep 14 2021
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 Guides 34
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,197
 Triplogs 592

38 male
 Joined Aug 16 2006
 Portland, OR
Elk Meadows Trail #645North Central, OR
Elk Meadows Trail #645
North Central, OR
Hiking avatar Sep 14 2021
keepmoving • Triplogs 592
Hiking13.21 Miles 3,553 AEG
Hiking13.21 Miles
3,553 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked up Gnarl Ridge via Elk Meadows Trail. Very smoky on the drive to the trailhead- I couldn't even see the mountain through the smoke, but fortunately the smoke layer was hanging low below 2000', so the hike itself was completely smoke free. Perfect temps and not too many people on trail. Summer is coming to a close on the mountain- the flowers are gone, huckleberries are disappearing, and the evenings are starting to get a little chilly.
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Oct 26 2020
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 Guides 34
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,197
 Triplogs 592

38 male
 Joined Aug 16 2006
 Portland, OR
Elk Meadows Trail #645North Central, OR
Elk Meadows Trail #645
North Central, OR
Hiking avatar Oct 26 2020
keepmoving • Triplogs 592
Hiking7.63 Miles 1,512 AEG
Hiking7.63 Miles   4 Hrs   9 Mns   1.84 mph
1,512 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Started from Elk Meadow Trailhead and followed Newton Creek Trail up to the Timberline Trail. After Crossing Newton Creek I headed back down to Elk Meadow- followed the perimeter trail and soaked in the views of Mt. Hood before returning to the trailhead.

Beautiful day for a hike- sunny and clear skies. Although the parking lot had almost a dozen vehicles in it when I arrived I only encountered 1 other group the entire day. Temps were in the low 40s and it feels like winter is just around the corner. There was a light dusting of snow/ice in the shade and needle ice along the trail.
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Jul 04 2019
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 Routes 1
 Photos 29,225
 Triplogs 1,447

45 female
 Joined Jan 18 2011
 In the Wild
Gnarl Ridge, OR 
Gnarl Ridge, OR
 
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2019
Lucyan • Triplogs 1,447
Hiking13.80 Miles 2,880 AEG
Hiking13.80 Miles
2,880 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Elk Meadows Trail #645
Umbrella Falls - Sahalie Falls Trail
Timberline Trail #600
Partners none no partners
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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Sep 06 2018
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 Guides 34
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,197
 Triplogs 592

38 male
 Joined Aug 16 2006
 Portland, OR
Elk Meadows Trail #645North Central, OR
Elk Meadows Trail #645
North Central, OR
Hiking avatar Sep 06 2018
keepmoving • Triplogs 592
Hiking9.44 Miles 1,761 AEG
Hiking9.44 Miles   4 Hrs   21 Mns   2.17 mph
1,761 ft AEG7 LBS Pack
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Went for a late afternoon hike up to Elk Meadows and Elk Mountain. Temps were perfect in the 70s and the sky was clear (except for the haze of smoke) when I started up trail around 1500. Wasn't paying proper attention to the trail at the Newton Creek Crossing and it took me a couple of minutes to find the trail on the far side of the river. Had I looked more carefully I would have spotted a much easier crossing as well.

Did the perimeter loop around the north side of Elk Meadows, snacking on ripe huckleberries as I went. Got a bit off trail on the climb from Elk Meadows up the to ridge. The trail climbs through a burnt area and there are tons of downed trees. I must have gotten off trail super early and ended up following another pear of boot tracks up the hillside until I rejoined the official trail. Despite following a ridge line that overlooks the Highway 35 corridor, the trail feels fairly remote- I don't think it sees much use outside the people who visit the meadow.

On the way back from Elk Mountain I followed the south portion of the perimeter trail to see the last little bit of meadow that I missed on the hike in. The sun was setting and the meadow looked spectacular in the late light. There are a couple of marked campsites that might make for a fun winter backpacking destination.
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average hiking speed 2 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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