Mazama Trail

Mt. Hood, seen from the Mazama trail.  Photo: Ray Sheldon

The Mazama Trail is a hiking trail on the northwest side of Mount Hood which extends 3.7 miles (with an elevation gain of 2,120’) from its beginning to a junction with Timberline Trail (#600) near McNeil Point Shelter. Traveling through rhododendron groves, deep woods, heather meadows, and huckleberry patches, it provides grand views of Mount Hood and vistas to the north and west.

During the winter of 1985-86, a severe blowdown occurred, ravaging the existing Cathedral Ridge Trail on Mount Hood. Because of budget restraints, the Forest Service was unable to repair the trail and it was abandoned. In 1993, Mazamas began restoring the trail, and it was officially named Mazama Trail, and dedicated on September 10, 1994. The trail was finished in September 1997.

As part of their 1994 centennial celebration, Mazamas aspired to present Mount Hood with a memorial to celebrate founding of the Mazamas on the summit of the mountain 100 years earlier. Restoration of the Cathedral Ridge Trail was their goal. Both funding and thousands of hours of volunteer labor were required to complete the project. In honor of the group’s hard work and dedication to the project, the old Cathedral Ridge Trail was renamed by the U.S. Forest Service. Mazamas continue to maintain and make improvements to the trail.

There is an annual work party (usually in August) to maintain this trail.  See the Hke schedule in the summer for details on this Trail Tending opportunity.

Directions: At the community of ZigZag, (34 miles east of Portland on Highway 26) turn north onto Lolo Pass Road #18. At about 10 miles turn right onto Road #1810. At about 5 miles turn right onto Road #1811. The trailhead and parking area is about 3 miles on the left.