12.5 miles of hiking • 4500' elevation gain •
Did my fourth loop over to Paradise park, then up to the viewpoint over the Sandy River headwaters, across and back down to the site of a B-26 plane crash in 1949 on Mississippi Head, and finally shooting back up to 8500' as we crossed back to the upper reach of the Palmer ski run high above Timberline Lodge. What a great day!
It was perhaps the last blue-skies day for some time, and we took full advantage of it. Fall colors are really popping up high now, especially the mountain ash. Hard to remember seeing so very little snow up there, as well, what with the blue ice of the Zigzag Glacier being readily apparent. Best of all, this time of year, are the magnificent colors revealed in the rocks high atop Hood when all the snow is melted away. WOW!!!
