Round The Mountain

Join us for the 3rd Annual Round the Mountain Trail Event
Hike the Timberline Trail around Mt Hood

August 30th thru September 1st, 2008
Apply On-line Now!
Application Deadline July 3rd, 2008. Notifications of Acceptance by July 9th, 2008.

A 3-day hike over Labor Day weekend. Includes all meals (including pack lunches) and dorm lodging (bring your sleeping bag and pillow) at Mazama Lodge along with van shuttle transport.

Hike the entire Timberline Trail (minus the slide near the closed section of the Eliot Glacier) with only a day pack as you are shuttled to various launch points each day from the Mazama Lodge serving as your base camp.

After hiking each day, return to the Mazama Lodge near Government Camp nightly where you will enjoy great food, hot showers and a comfortable place to sleep and hopefully a few good stories from the day before turning in for the evening.

Questions not covered here?  Ask away at

The RTM event fees for 2008 are $300 for members, $350 for non-members.  The fees are all inclusive and cover the cost of lodging and meals for three nights including breakfast and lunches, transport to and from trailheads and some of the best companionship you can find around.  Schedule is subject to change if required.

• Friday August 29th - We will meet at the Mazama Lodge by 7 p.m. on Friday evening August 29th for grouping together our hiking teams, a bit of dinner and just in general getting to know each other before the big event.  An orientation of the next few days adventure will be laid out for you.
• Saturday August 30th - Ready to get started?  We will meet for breakfast at 6 a.m. and be on the way to the trailhead by 7 a.m.  Spend the day hiking and return to the lodge for celebration of the day’s exploration while enjoying a delicious dinner and cozy lodge ambiance.
• Sunday August 31st - By now we are seasoned Timberline Trail hikers!  We will meet at 6 a.m. for breakfast and be on the way to the trailhead by 7 a.m.  Once again we return to the lodge for relaxation and a hearty dinner while sharing stories of the previous couple days of adventure.
• Monday September 1st - The conclusion of our voyage!  We will meet for breakfast at 6 a.m. and leave by 7 a.m..  Spend the day trekking our last portion around the mountain, return to the lodge and set off for home after a well deserved break and refreshments. An additional night at the lodge for Monday can be purchased separately if desired.

For more information about the Mazama Lodge take a look here… Your Home on the Mountain

This year there will be four teams hiking around the Timberline Trail in three days.  Below is the route we plan to take you and your team around the mountain.  Be aware that the route may change due to unforeseen conditions after the snow melt. Groups will be heading in opposite directions so the route may be reversed depending on which end you start.

Timberline Lodge to Ramona Falls TH Leg
From the Timberline Lodge head west, climb uphill to the Timberline Trail and make a brief descent into Little Zigzag Canyon.  Arrive at the ZigZag Canyon overlook which includes views of Paradise Park, across the canyon, and rugged Mississippi Head.  From here, the trail quickly descends a cool, forested slope for one mile to the bottom of Zigzag River crossing. The route will traverse across the alpine meadows of Paradise Park and reconnect with the Timberline Trail dropping sown 2,000 ft down to cross the Sandy River. This is one of the more challenging stream crossings around Mount Hood and we will most likely have to wade or use a rope as a handline while making our way across.  After reaching Ramona Falls, the route will exit via the Ramona Falls Trail and our waiting van.
Appx 14 miles

Ramona Falls to Elk Cove Leg
Starting out at the Ramona Falls Trailhead the route will follow the PCT across the Muddy Fork of the Sandy River.  We will continue on the PCT to the junction with the Timberline Trail.  After reaching the Timberline Trail, we make our way along until reaching the Ladd Creek where there are several viewpoints that look up to Mount Hood and down into the Sandy River Canyon.  After passing trail junctions with McNeil Point Trail and the Mazama Trail, the trail then crosses several additional glacier rivers on the north side of Mt Hood.  Upon reaching Elk Cove, we will have great views of a nice meadow area and nice place for pause.  We will then hike out the Elk Cove Trail to our waiting van.
Appx 15 miles

Cloud Cap to Timberline Lodge Leg
We begin at the Cloud Cap Trailhead and head up to the Timberline Trail and the Cooper Spur Shelter.  The route will then cross the east side slope of Mt Hood as it continues to gain elevation to the Timberline Trail high point at 7,300’.  The trail then follows the top of Gnarl Ridge with excellent views.  The route will then continue over the challenging crossing of Newton Creek and a somewhat challenging crossing of the Clark Creek. Pushing onward through Meadows Ski Area, we will then drop down into the White River Glacier Canyon for an interesting crossing.  Finally, regaining the elevation just lost, we arrive at the Timberline Lodge and our waiting van. 
Appx 14 miles

Check out this 2006 trip report on Portland Hikers.com for one of the exciting RTM trips. Round the Mountain 2006