Groomed trail
No
Elevation Gain
140.00 ft (42.67 m)
Distance
2.00 mi (3.22 km)
Warming hut
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Enid Lake Loop is part of the wonderfully accessible network of Government Camp trails that branch off of the main trail, Crosstown. While neither the elevation gain nor the distance of the Enid Lake Loop are particularly daunting, don’t mistake this for a wide, groomed beginner trail. It is a wooded, backcountry trail that is narrow and not groomed. But don’t be intimidated! It is a short loop, so there is time to move carefully through the challenging sections, and some of the same features that make this an intermediate experience are also the reason this loop is so lovely. 

Your ski will take you through lush cedar, hemlock and fir. You will ski over and beside the small creeks that feed and drain Enid throughout the loop, and if you are lucky enough to be there on a clear day, you will have great views of Mount Hood looming over this tiny mountain lake. The trail gains and loses elevation as it snakes around the lake, so the 2-mile loop may be enough skiing for the day. If not, continue on to the Glacier View Loop or the short Kurt’s Connection near the parking area for a few laps.
 

Recommended Gear

Before you head out on your next Mount Hood adventure, make sure you have the right gear! 

Here's a list of our go-to snowshoeing essentials to get you started:

Snowshoes: MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe

Men's and Women's • $229.95 • Cushioned, Made in USA, Ultralight, 98.8 oz

Jacket/Shell: Arc'teryx Zeta AR Jacket

Men's and Women's • $475.00 • Waterproof, Adjustable Drawcord Hem, Pit Zips, GORE-TEX

Pack: Mammut Nirvana Pro Pack 

$189.95 • 35L, Carry-On Size, Hip Belt, Ice Axe / Pole Loops, Hydration Compatible

Insulating Layer: Moosejaw Dequindre Down Jacket

Men's and Women's • $134.25 • Water-resistant, Insulated, Adjustable Drawcord Hem

Poles: Black Diamond Traverse Pole 

$79.95 • Aluminum, Adjustable with Lever Lock System, 21 oz.

Gloves: The North Face GORE-TEX Gloves

Men's Powdercloud • $181.61 • Waterproof, Adjustable, Insulated, GORE-TEX

Boots: Vasque Snowblime UltraDry Boot

Men's and Women's • $149.95 • Waterproof, Cushioned, Insulated

Gaiters: Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiter 

Men's and Women's • $64.95 • Waterproof, Breathable, Lightweight, Abrasion-resistant

 

If you are snowshoeing into avalanche terrain, you should be prepared, equipped and educated on how to use avalanche rescue and snow safety gear - including but not limited to an avalanche beacon/transceiver, probe, and shovel.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Sno-Park Parking Permit (required in OR + WA 11.01 thru 04.30)

Pros

Close to Portland. Easy loop. Beautiful trail.

Cons

Ski tracks get hammered by snowshoers. Can be crowded.

Trailhead Elevation

3,743.00 ft (1,140.87 m)

Features

Snowshoeing
Big vistas

Trail type

Loop

Typically multi-day

No

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Oregon, Mt. Hood + Clackamas River Area
Mt. Hood + Clackamas River Area, Oregon
Mt. Hood + Clackamas River Area, Oregon

Comments

12/27/2018
Took my 14-year-old cousin on this trail today for her first snowshoe hike ever. First ones to make a path, but it wasn't hard to navigate. On the way back there were ski tracks and we got the opportunity to teach her how to stay out of them. The trail can get narrow in spots, but there is plenty of room for both snowshoers and cross-country skiers.
01/29/2018
Packed snow and streams to cross. You can do it in boots today. Had a great hike with the kids. Easy flat loop.
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