Arrived at Timberline Lodge at 0800 on Monday 8/18 to begin a clockwise trip around Mt Hood.
Got to the Sandy crossing around noon with knee deep water and not too bad of current. The trail heading on after crossing the Sandy was concealed in the brush but there were some cairns leading in the general direction.
Got across the Muddy branches with not much issue, some brush obscures the trail.
Camped the 1st night at a campsite below McNeil point.
2nd day many stream crossing. I was concerned about the Elliot crossing but turned out the climb down was steep but not too bad if you take your time and there was a rope for part of the descent. The climb out and up also had a rope but was a fairly easy climb back up to the rim. Biggest issue was having to wade across the stream in ICE cold water up to my knees- not a pleasant experience. Finished the day by continuing past the Cooper Spur side trail and camping out just below the high point of the trail around 7300 feet. Was very windy until sunset and after that it was totally calm. Just prior to sunrise the glacier let go twice about 15 minutes apart, very loud- wish I could have seen it.
3rd day headed out at 0700 8/20 and arrived back at Timberline around 2 PM- tired and hungry. I was able to cross the White river without getting my feet wet, so that was a nice way to end my last water crossing.
