Mt. Hood National Forest

McNeil Point Dispersed Camping

Cloud Cap Saddle is a small campground and the location of Cloud Cap - Tilly Jane North trailhead which provides access to Timberline National Historic Trail #600 and Tilly Jane Trail #600A from the north. There is CAMPGROUND HAS NO POTABLE WATER The Historic Cloud Cap Inn is just up the road from the campground and is now used by search and rescue teams on the mountain.

Cloud Cap Saddle

This trail enters the Mt. Hood Wilderness on the west side of Mount Hood. This trail accesses Burnt Lake and Zigzag Mountain with views above treeline. The north side also has wonderful old cedar snags showing remnants of a wildfire that came through around 1900.

Starting from the north Burnt Lake trailhead, this trail begins at Forest Road 1825-109 (2,680’) and ends at Forest Road 2627-207 (3,320’). From Forest Road 1825-109, the trail climbs steadily up to Burnt Lake (4,120’). There is a nice loop trail around the lake accessing several campsites. From the lake the trail continues up a steep climb 0.6 mile and reaches Zigzag Ridge (4,720’). Soon after, the trail reaches Zigzag Mountain Trail #775. Turn right onto Zigzag Mountain Trail #775 and follow the ridge westward 0.3 miles until Burnt Lake Trail #772 drops over the south side of the ridge descending to Devil’s Meadow area. From Devil’s Meadow the trail follows an easier grade down an old roadway to West Zigzag trailhead at Forest Road 2627-207. 

Burnt Lake

Mount Hood National Forest Lost Creek Campground

## Overview

Lost Creek Campground is a fully accessible campground allowing anyone access to campsites, fishing and a paved nature trail that meanders through the area. The campground is also near the Wild and Scenic Sandy River and not far from the popular Ramona Falls Trailhead. Mt. Hood is just southeast of the campground and is close enough for visitors to enjoy a day trip and sightseeing.

## Recreation

A variety of trails exist within and near the campground, including the accessible Lost Creek Nature Trail, which explains events in history that helped form the area's geology. A deviation from the road coming into the campground (Forest Road 1825), will lead to a trailhead for spectacular Ramona Falls on the Sandy River. The 7.1-mile trail leads to cascading waterfalls and is one of the most popular hikes on the forest.   
  
Fishing is available in the Sandy River and anglers can expect steelhead year-round, Coho salmon in the fall and Chinook salmon from February through October. Trout also inhabit the river. Scenic driving and picnicking are popular activities as well.

## Facilities

The campground is fully accessible and provides a variety of single, double and walk-to campsites. Two yurts are available for reservation as well. The structures can accommodate up to six campers each. Visitors must provide their own bedding.   
  
Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are accessible vault toilets and drinking water. Utility hookups are not available. Firewood is available for purchase from the campground host.

## Natural Features

Moss and shrubbery covers the ground and evergreens tower overhead, providing ample shade for the campground and privacy between the individual and group campsites. The campground is situated in the Old Maid Flat area of Mt. Hood National Forest, northwest of majestic Mt. Hood at an elevation of about 2,600 feet. It sits on one of the largest pyroclastic volcanic mudflows from Mt. Hood's "Old Maid" eruption in the 1700s. 

## Nearby Attractions

The town of Government Camp is located at the base of Mt. Hood, about 18 miles from the campground. Year-round skiing is available there, as well as a variety of activities and amenities.

Lost Creek 

Tilly Jane Guard Station is an ideal getaway for individuals and families who enjoy the great outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It is one of the oldest structures on Mt. Hood and provides shelter for warmth and an escape from the elements while participating in a variety of activities, specifically winter-related recreation. During the winter months it serves as a winter retreat for visitors hardy enough to access the cabin from the Tilly Jane Sno-Park. Guests can access the cabin following a 9-mile, gently sloping road, or via the historic Tilly Jane Ski Trail, which is roughly 2.7 miles with an elevation gain of 1,900 feet. Skis with skins or snowshoes are highly recommended and travelers should be prepared for extreme weather conditions. The TJ Ski Trail is poorly marked due to the 2008 Gnarl Ridge Fire so be on notice. Guests should be experienced in backcountry travel and survival skills. Guests must also bring several of their own amenities. Recreation Visitors to the Guard Station enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing, which can be done most of the year due to high levels of snowfall in the area. Many trails exist in the area, prompting exploration. Most trails are not marked so visitors should be familiar with the area. Above the tree line, visitors can catch a glimpse of Mt. Adams, St Helens, Mt. Rainier and the Hood River Valley flanked by the dry high desert of eastern Oregon. Facilities The cabin accommodates up to 8 people. It includes a full kitchen and a second story sleeping loft with pads. It has propane lighting and a cooking stove/oven, as well as all cooking pots and utensils. A variety of seating is available, as well as a table and chairs. A fireplace and woodstove with firewood are also provided. An on-site pit toilet is located within the wood room of the cabin. Water is obtained by melting snow or by digging an access hole to Tilly Creek. We recommend all water be treated. Guests will need to bring their own bedding, clothing, food, garbage bags and toilet paper. A variety of house rules exist, including proper closure of the cabin, which involves shutting off the gas, reinstalling the shutters and locking the cabin up. The cabin will need to be cleaned prior to leaving, dishes washed and everything in its place. Guests will also need to replenish a supply of wood and kindling for the next group. All food and garbage must be removed from the cabin. Natural Features The Guard Station is located high on the northeast side of Mt. Hood at an elevation of 5,700 feet. It was built in 1934 and initially received seasonal use for back country access and fire protection. The cabin is one of five structures in the area built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is part of the Cloud Cap/Tilly Jane Historic District. The facility is operated and maintained by the volunteer organization, Oregon Nordic Club, under a permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Charges & Cancellations Standard Rec.gov change/cancellation policy's apply. Cancellations with less than 14 days notice will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first night's reservation fee. ADA Access: N

Tilly Jane Guard Station

Cast Lake

Riley Campground is an equestrian facility located northwest of Oregon's majestic Mt. Hood. Horse corrals are tucked into the forest near the campsites, and several horseback riding trails can be accessed from the campground. A variety of recreational and sightseeing opportunities are available for visitors to enjoy. Recreation Several hiking, biking and horseback riding trails can be accessed from the campground, including the 5.3-mile Cast Creek Trail, which was reconstructed in 1998 and leads from the campground to the Zigzag Mountain Trail. Combined with the nearby 4.9-mile Horseshoe Ridge Trail and part of the Zigzag Mountain Trail, visitors can make a nearly 14-mile excursion. The Sandy River Trail follows the river and stretches about 3 miles. Fishing is available in nearby Lost Creek, as well as the Sandy River, which is not far from the campground. Anglers can expect a variety of trout, salmon and whitefish. The rivers are popular for fly fishing. Scenic drives and picnicking are also popular activities. Facilities The campground offers single-family equestrian campsites. Most of the sites are equipped with horse corrals or cross rail hitching posts, tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Horse owners are responsible for cleaning up after their horses. The campsites are intended for equestrians, but may be used by others. McNeil Campground (1/4 mile away) and Lost Creek (1 Ã?Â½ miles away) are good alternative sites for those without horses. McNeil does not accept reservations. Horse corrals or hitching racks are provided at the sites. Natural Features The campground is situated in the Old Maid Flat geologic area of Mt. Hood National Forest at an elevation of about 2,100 feet. It sits alongside Lost Creek and is near the Sandy Wild and Scenic River. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area. Nearby Attractions A deviation from the road coming into the campground (Forest Road 1825), will lead to a trailhead for spectacular Ramona Falls, on the Sandy River. The 7.1-mile, moderately difficult trail leads to cascading waterfalls and is one of the most popular hikes in Mt. Hood National Forest. ADA Access: N

Riley Horse Campground

Kinnikinnick Campground is a hidden gem, situated north of Mt. Hood, just outside of Parkdale, Oregon. Sitting on Laurence Lake, Kinnikinnick Campground offers beautifully landscaped campsites with views of Laurence Lake and the wide-open hills that surround the lake. Recreation Laurence Lake allows all non-motorized water sports. There are no rental facilities on site. Facilities The campground features well-groomed campsites, including campfire pits and picnic tables. The location offers vault toilets. There is a boat ramp nearby. Natural Features Surrounded by Laurence Lake, Kinnikinnick Campground is a natural attraction all its own. With incredible lake views, regular sightings of bald eagles and rock and hill formations that surround this site, it is the perfect place to go "off the grid" and enjoy the outdoors. Nearby Attractions Laurance Lake is great for waterplay and fishing. Kinnickinnick Campground is just a 30-minute drive to nearby ski resorts, where summer hiking and outdoor adventures await. ADA Access: N

Kinnikinnick (laurance Lake) Campground

High on Mount Hood, near the headwaters of the Salmon River, the Alpine Campground is the highest on the Forest. Snow can be present in mid-summer. This campground offers excellent acess to nearby Timberline Lodge and many hiking and mountain biking trails as well as the town of Governement Camp below it. Avg. spur length = 16'

Alpine

McNeil Campground lies along the Wild and Scenic Sandy River. While it does not have drinking water, it has all the other camping amenities in a mixed lodgepole forest in an old Mt. Hood mud flow where moss carpets the ground. It is close to many hiking trails including Ramona Falls. Located on the Wild and Scenic Sandy River.

McNeil Campground

National Forest

Dispersed camping at McNeil point is a backpackers dream — you get to hike far into the clouds, far away from the people, yet this location is nearly as convenient as car camping. 

  

While McNeil point is a popular hike, most people visiting are day hikers, or backpackers taking a few days for circumnavigating the Timberline trail. Since we only had one day, we left Portland at 2 pm on a summer Friday, hiked in the four miles most of the way to McNeil, pitched the tent in time for dinner and sunset, then got up early and summited McNeil far before the summer crowds from town had time to make it to the trail head. 

  

There are quite a few dispersed, designated spots to camp. The most obvious ones are those along the Timberline trail—and they are also likely the busiest. There are also obvious sites well up near the McNeil summit. These aren't as busy, but you'll have to haul your packs up the whole way.  We chose a site that we found in a clearing that had a good view of the mountain. Note - You cannot camp in most of the meadows around the lakes. There are signs that designate this.

  

When we hiked up to the McNeil summit in the morning, we only took our day packs, and left our big packs in our tents. After summiting we hiked back down, cooked lunch at the campsite, and then packed out.  It's definitely a recommended trip if you have a short time, but still want to feel like you got far, far away.

Backcountry in your Backyard

We began this trek at the Lolo Pass Trailhead, which is part of the Pacific Crest Trail and lead to the Timberline Trail. We then followed the Timberline Trail to our destination, McNeil Point.

  

The trail to McNeil Point is mainly uphill with many switchbacks. As you hike you will travel through a variety of terrain and flora. On a clear day there is a portion of the hike with unbelievable views of Mt. Hood.

  

On a side note, we did not reach a water source until about 3/4 of the way there. 

  

We decided to set up camp under a group of trees about half a mile from McNeil Point to give us cover from the wind and it is also very close to a flowing water source. The temperature was about 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, so don't forget a hat!

  

We were fortunate to catch a beautiful sunset (check out the pics below!)

  

Overall, this hike provided a challenge with great views.

McNeil Point Overnight Backpack Trek

Went snowshoe backpacking up to McNeil Point this weekend and camped and showshoe-d around the area for a few days. This area is extremely popular in summer and is along the Timberline Trail, but  during our Late May excursion there was still tons of snow and only saw a few people in the 3 days we were up there.  
  
Views of Hood, Rainier, and and Adams with plenty of nearby meadows and ridges to explore. What else could you ask for?

McNeil Point Dispersed Camping

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