11.5 miles of hiking • 3500' elevation gain • 1 night
My wife Christy's sister was in town from Florida and was getting the whirlwind tour of everything Portland had to offer for a week. My portion of that tour was picking a perfectly representative location to backpack. I decided we'd head up to McNeil Point and stay in the shelter up there. At the trailhead when asking about conditions, a lady told me the shelter is only for emergencies, that people pee in it, and that I shouldn't sleep in it. Psht, the shelter was phenomenal and devoid of urine. We kept a fire going in the fireplace most of the night, heating the stonework and keeping us warm all night.
Go to McNeil Point as fast as possible. The flowers are going off and it is epically beautiful right now. There's lots of snow still hanging on everywhere, but the McNeil ridge is snow free and really, really awesome.
While the ladies slept in the morning, I took a jaunt up to McNeil Peak. Beautfiul view of the Glisan and Sandy glaciers from up there.
Go here, now.
Comments
Roman
August 2, 2011
Really nice place! I thought about going there again in a better weather, but the crowds kind of put me off. Maybe will go mid-week.
Chris
August 2, 2011
Eric, you could be doing quadruple Mcneils...
Kyle Meyer
August 2, 2011
Hahaha. Here's a hike idea:
Day 1: Friday night, head up to McNeil Point Shelter from Top Spur TH
Day 2: Saturday, hike to Cooper Spur Shelter
Day 3: Sunday, return to car
This puts the Eliot creek crossing on the shorter day to afford time to be safe, and lets you carry no shelter why keeping a nice leisurely pace. And, it fits in for us weekend warriors!
Eric Peterson
August 3, 2011
"Eric, you could be doing quadruple Mcneils..."
lol - maybe 2 Chris
Kyle Meyer
August 3, 2011
Four McNeils would be roughly equivalent to doing the Timberline trail…
Chris
August 3, 2011
Fine - quad timberline then :)
Jen
August 3, 2011
Wonderful way to show off Oregon! thanks for the tips- any sign of the marmots??
Eric Peterson
August 2, 2011
Nice scenery you lucky dog! :)