This section of trail along Surveyors Ridge east of Mount Hood is popular with mountain bikers but it’s also a great trail for hikers, with wildflowers along the open ridges and interesting rock formations throughout.

trailhead: Shellrock Mountain
distance: 6.3 miles (out and back)
elevation gain: 810 ft.
hike description: OregonHikers.org – Surveyors Ridge Rim Rock
drive time from Portland: 1 hour 30 minutes
parking pass: none

The Hike

The Surveyors Ridge Trail travels for 16.4 miles along a ridge overlooking the Hood River Valley and is a very popular mountain bike ride. For hikers, the section between Shellrock Mountain and the Yellowjacket viewpoint offers outstanding views of Mount Hood on a trail with short climbs and descents alternating between forest and open meadows. It’s usually snow-free from June to October, with wildflowers blooming in late spring and early summer.

The Shellrock Mountain trailhead is a small pullout next to the road that has a short connection to the trail. There’s no signage or facilities here, and no passes are required. From the parking area, join the main trail, turning right to head north.

This first section of trail is along an open ridge with outstanding views of Shellrock Mountain and Mount Hood. This open section doesn’t last long, so take in the views before heading into forest.

Just to the north of Shellrock Mountain, look down to get views of Shellrock Badlands and its breccia formations from ancient volcanic activity.

There were numerous Oregon anemones blooming in the forested sections of trail when we were here.

The trail rises and descends several times, then passes by an interesting rock garden with views to the east and south.

A short side trail leads to the former Rim Rock Lookout site with views to the west and north.

At approximately three miles in, arrive a junction and stay to the left on a side trail to reach the Yellowjacket viewpoint.

Balsamroot, paintbrush and lupines cover the slopes below the viewpoint in May and June.

The Surveyors Ridge trail continues north towards Bald Butte but this is the turnaround point for the hike shown here.