Hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Timberline Lodge to the Zigzag Canyon Overlook for big views of Mount Hood, rocky ravines, and colorful fall foliage.

distance: 5 miles (out & back)
elevation gain: 950 ft.
high point: 6,052 ft.
difficulty: moderate
drive time from Portland: 1 hour 20 minutes
parking pass: none needed May 1 – Oct. 31; SnoPark pass needed Nov. 1 – April 30
more info: OregonHikers – Zigzag Overlook Hike

This hike begins on the Pacific Crest Trail at Timberline Lodge, the highest access point on Mount Hood and a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and tourists. From the parking lot, views of the Cascade ridges stretch to the horizon with Mount Jefferson in the distance.

Heading north on the PCT, the trail passes beneath ski lifts before entering the Mount Hood Wilderness. Normally, hikers would stop here to complete a self-issued wilderness permit, but this year permits weren’t available — likely due to limited Forest Service staffing.

The only other time I’ve hiked in this area was to go up to Silcox Hut on the Mountaineer Trail. This time, we stayed on the PCT to head towards Paradise Park, which I’ve never been to. It’s been on my list for a long time and I hope to go backpacking there soon.

Along the way, I loved the constant views of Mount Hood from the ravines and canyons.

Before reaching Zigzag Canyon, the trail dips into Little Zigzag Canyon via a few easy switchbacks. In late summer and fall it’s usually dry, but earlier in the season a small creek runs through here.

From Portland, Mount Hood looks like a perfect cone, but up close its craggy ridges and canyons give the mountain much more character.

One of the reasons I chose this hike in late September was for fall color — and it didn’t disappoint.

This section of the PCT is popular, and we passed plenty of backpackers heading into Paradise Park for the night, and there were just as many day hikers like us enjoying the trail.

After a final stretch of rolling trail, we reached the Zigzag Canyon Overlook — a wide, open area with spectacular views of both the canyon and Mount Hood. We continued a bit farther down the trail to see where it descends into the canyon, but turned around to make it back to Portland in the afternoon.