Waiting for the snow to melt on Mt. Hood, I took a walk up Hunchback Mountain yesterday just to stay in shape. A cool morning, a toasty-warm afternoon, and only a few flies made for a nice hike. Lots of red ants, though, which is a drag because I like to take off my boots and rest every now and then....
The trail starts out well-graded, an easy walk, for the first mile or so. Then it gets steep, and in places it gets ridiculous.
At the 2.1 mile mark, a reward for your trouble.
Looking at the map, I though the trail would level off once I reached the ridgetop. But no such luck; the trail does level off in places, then it charges relentlessly up a hill, then down to a saddle, repeat. It's like climbing a staircase without the benefit of actual stairs.
There were flowers out in places, mostly at Rimrock viewpoint, but here and there along the trail as well.
Just when I thought I must have missed the sign, there it was.
SE toward Devil's Peak
Somehow this hike seemed tougher than Devil's Peak (via Cool Creek) to me, which is odd because the elevation gain is less.
I took one last shot on the way down (at Rimrock viewpoint), then headed down to the Zigzag Ranger Station. Sadly, my guitar (which I usually stash along the trail because the heat inside a car would destroy it) was gone when I got back.
The photographs just don't do justice to the vibrant green of the ridge against the blue sky. The views on this hike were astonishing.
Hunchback Mountain, July 24, 2012
Re: Hunchback Mountain, July 24, 2012
Photos never do the greens and vibrant colors and the scope justice.
Your guitar was stolen?? UGH! How many of these cretins do we have just lurking around the trails seeing what they can get their greedy stupid fingers on.
Your guitar was stolen?? UGH! How many of these cretins do we have just lurking around the trails seeing what they can get their greedy stupid fingers on.
Hannah
Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go.
-- T.S. Eliot
- Schoolteacher John
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Re: Hunchback Mountain, July 24, 2012
The trailhead is really close to Highway 26, so I should have hidden it a lot better than I did.
Re: Hunchback Mountain, July 24, 2012
I agree, cool creek is a killer of a trail especially loaded with gear lol, but hunchback does seem more difficult, im heading up there in a few days to knock it out.