Most people hike the iconic Paradise Park Loop from Timberline Lodge. Since we backpacked to Ramona Falls for our weekend base camp, we start from Ramona Falls.
After a breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, we pack our daypacks and hit the Timberline Trail/PCT by a little after 8:30 am. My legs are a little tired from yesterday’s adventure to Yocum Ridge but overall, I feel great. Our plan is to hike the Paradise Park Loop Trail and return to our campsite at Ramona Falls, pack up, and hike out to get back to Portland by evening. Overall, it’ll be about a 17 mile day to wrap up a 32 mile weekend.
Paradise Park Loop from Ramona Falls (~13.5 miles, 3,400 ft elevation gain)
We reach the Sandy River crossing in a little under a mile. The crossing is not difficult because there are conveniently placed logs across the rushing glacial river. Without the logs, the crossing would be more challenging as the water is very swift.
Immediately after crossing the Sandy, the long, sustained climb to Paradise Park begins.
Over the next 2.75 miles or so, we gain over 2,000 ft of elevation prior to reaching the junction with the Paradise Park Loop Trail. We stop briefly at the viewpoint above Paradise Branch Falls.
When we reach the Paradise Park Loop Trail, the views open up and the wildflowers are everywhere.
The trail crosses a number of creeks, some dry, some flowing. We take a spur trail up to the Split Rock (where we camped in August 2016) before continuing on the loop trail.
Indian paintbrush, bear grass, and lupine are abundant, along with many other wildflowers.
We filter our water at a creek and enjoy a snack. The views are stunning. Shortly after, the trail descends towards the PCT/Timberline Trail. We stop quickly to make avocado sandwiches but since the flies are so aggressive we eat while hiking. I enjoy the long descent towards the Sandy River and we even jog for a few miles!
After almost 14 miles, we arrive back at Ramona Falls. We race to tear down our campsite, trying to avoid dozens of flies from biting us (we fail). After a long, hot day of hiking, I’m not thrilled to put my pack on for the 3.5 mile hike out to the Ramona Falls Trailhead. At the same time, there are not many other ways I’d like to spend a few days alone with Lindsay.
In total, we hike close to 32 miles in our nearly 32 hours on Mt. Hood. I am so grateful for this mountain, for the ability to hike many miles, and to share all of it with my favorite person on our anniversary weekend.