Elk Meadows
Mt. Hood from Elk Meadows
Moderate (to Elk Meadows)
6 miles round trip
1230 feet elevation gain
Open late June through October
Use: hikers, horses
Difficult (to Gnarl Ridge)
9.4 miles round trip
2230 feet elevation gain
Open mid-July through October
Two of Mt. Hood’s most scenic hiking goals are tucked away on the mountain’s southeast flank: a rustic shelter amidst Elk Meadows’ wildflowers, and Gnarl Ridge’s breathtaking cliff-edge viewpoint amid wind-dwarfed pines. Visit either destination, or take a slightly longer loop and visit both.
From Portland, drive Highway …
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If you’re heading for Elk Meadows, it’s only …
This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington.
Shelter at Elk Meadows