Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
2,200.00 ft (670.56 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
8.60 mi (13.84 km)
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.

It's always amazing how one mountain can appear completely different depending on how and when you approach it. If there is a representative hike for each side of Mount Hood, the hike up to McNeil Point is the one that best represents the giant volcano's west side.

The trail begins in an old-growth forest consisting predominantly of noble fir and western hemlock over a bear grass and black huckleberry understory. At the trail's first intersection you'll turn right onto the Pacific Crest Trail, and then at the next intersection 0.1 miles further up the trail you'll be presented with two options to get past Bald Mountain. The trail to the left leads around Bald Mountain's north side and is more direct but offers little variety in scenery. The trail to the right (which we recommend) is slightly longer but traverses across Bald Mountain's eastern slope; at which point, Wy'east's rough western face will dominate your views. This section of trail makes for a good turn-around location if you're simply making a short excursion for the sake of the spectacular views from Bald Mountain. Proceeding on this trail however will require cutting back onto the main ridgeline trail via an unmaintained connector trail that is located some 40 yards prior to a horse barricade.

Continuing up the ridgeline, once you reach the underside of the McNeil Point buttress, the trail circles to the north and eventually leads to the classic stone shelter.  It is possible to take a far less improved route directly up, crossing over a steep talus field (loose boulders) or along the ridgeline (the "climber's route"), but unless you're in an extreme hurry we do not recommend this approach much steeper route.

From McNeil Point, enjoy glimpses of the gorged valley created by Sandy Glacier, lush wildflowers surrounding McGee Creek, and vistas out to Larch Mountain, Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier and Mount Adams.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

NW Forest Pass

Pros

Stunning views of Mount Hood. Great backpacking opportunities.

Cons

Trailhead is difficult to find. Only accessible in late summer and fall.

Trailhead Elevation

4,000.00 ft (1,219.20 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers
Shelters

Typically multi-day

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Top Spur Trailhead to the Sandy Glacier
Mt. Hood + Clackamas River Area, Oregon

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

08/19/2018
This report needs to be updated! There is now a named “cutoff” trail that connects the first trail that goes around bald mountain to the right to the one on the left. Also, there is not horse barricade.
09/13/2016
Great hike! Well maintained trail, break-taking views! Camped out at the top up past the rock shelter, amazing!
did you complete the hike to mcneil point? Was there any snow? or to much to not complete the journey. I am doing an overnight trip this saturday.
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