TJ went hiking July 24, 2011 14 miles 3,000 feet gained
Hi. This is my first trip report. I wish I could post photos but I am currently in the process of replacing my camera and computer.
I decided to try McNeil Point after seeing photos from a friend who spent the night at one of the campsites along the ridge above the shelter.
I crossed the TH threshold at 11:18am. The weather was perfect and the trailhead parking lot was pretty busy. It was told in reports I've read that the crowds thin after the meadows along the ridge overlooking Muddy Fork so I decided to go ahead for it.
After turning on the trail heading uphill to the right at the junction and easily climbing through a beargrass/forested area the trail opened up to the Bald Mountain meadows live with blooming, paintbrush, lupine, and other flowers that I haven't learned the name of yet. The trail was a tad congested here and for good reason. The view of the mountain is pretty astounding and very easy to reach. The trail dips down a little here and looses elevation before re-entering the forest.
Once entering the second forested part there is an unmarked trail to the left. I first walked past this trail and being 'in my mind' neglected to remember the part in my guidebook that told me that if I hit a log stile that I've gone too far. I hiked downwards on Timberline Trail for about a mile until I convinced myself that I passed the turn off. Upon returning to the juncture I noticed an obvious cairn and well worn path going up over the ridge. Go me. Took the trail and turned right at the juncture to continue up the ridge.
The trail is gradual and easy. Flanked by more bear grass which was just starting to bloom on the parts of the trail that got ample sunlight. The trail continues upwards along the ridge and opens to a couple more meadows with even better views of Mt Hood, Muddy Fork, Sandy Glacier, and McNeil Point. This would be a great lunch area and turn around for people who might not be willing to do the climb that is ahead.
Continuing on and losing a little more elevation I eventually hit the snow. It was about 80 degrees on this day and we had significant snowfall this past winter so the snow was still about 5-10 feet deep in the tree wells. It was my first time on the trail so I'm not sure where the 'official' trail heads but I followed the footsteps before me which seemed rather random and heading in a 'general direction' through the trees. After coming out of the tree stand and heading along the left side of a ridge the footsteps became a little less random. There was a visible entrance into trees on the ridge to the right and I investigated to find a campsite. I continued upward on the snowpack until I saw a distinct exit to the scramble path I was looking for. All told I probably hiked on the snow for about 15 minutes.
I headed up the scramble which was mostly gravel like rock with not many large rocks to provide confident footing. I was now able to see the face of McNeil Point looming above me. After the trail became a little more pronounced and well established and seemed to be traversing rather than climbing another scramble path appeared to the right. I saw hikers above me so assumed that this was the 'not recommended' scramble path up the face of McNeil and was correct. I believe at this time the 'official' trail was immpassable. This was a pretty sold climb though not difficult. I did take a rest or two in the process but was also busting my ass going up and almost running. After passing through some trees I came upon the shelter. Two other duo's were already there and resting. There was still snowpack on the north side of the shelter where the official trail approached from. I set my pack down and roamed around a little to check out the area. The inside of the shelter was clean (for what it is.. no litter), had a roll of toilet paper hanging (don't mind if I do.. and I did), a pot with a pasta strainer in it (which had the remnants of someones meal in it) sitting on the stove and lots of places to hang things from. Outside the shelter was a latrine and there were a lot of other areas that would make great picnic spots that people used as latrines, neglecting to bury their toilet paper. It was a turn-off so after eating a sandwich on the snow I decided to continue up the ridge since I still had some energy to burn and some soul cleansing to do. I knew that going even higher past McNeil Point Shelter would most likely eliminate the potential for human company as most hikers used that as a turn around point.
After hiking through the meadow and passing some campsites on the right the trail starts to climb the ridge. It wasn't difficult but it was a good work out. I knew I couldn't stop here and decided that I couldn't turn around until I went to the 7,100' mark to see the campsite there. I pressed on and when I had an opportunity I crossed the ridge to sit on Glisan Glacier for a little and cool my vital arteries down with some of the snow. It felt wonderful. I continued past some weather and sun bleached pine that really spoke to me against the cloudless blue sky until I finally reached the campsite (while also passing other sites along the way). The time was 3:15pm. I decided to post up here and reflect/eat/hydrate. On the upper side of the rock you can easily pass to the northern side to a little ledge that overlooks Glisan Glacier and would protect from the wind if it were something needing protection from. Today was not one of those days.
I decided to go nude and eat my lunch amongst the ladybugs and ants all the while listening to the waters melting, glaciers cracking, and the rocks tumbling.. the mountain falling apart beneath me. I found tranquility here in that the mountain has been doing this, falling apart, for 500,000 years and will continue to do so. Astounded that it has been doing this for so long.. and that there are still rocks left to fall and tumble towards the bottoms. It spoke volumes. I sat here for a bit before deciding to head back down at 4pm.
The trail coming down the upper ridge was a little difficult without trekking poles, and coming down the scramble path below the shelter I had to be especially cautious. The most difficult descent for me was on the gravel ridge just before hitting the snowpack. I thought the snowpack was going to be really difficult without trekking poles but my years of snowboarding experience came in handy and I found it easiest to run/boot ski down the hill, but had to be careful of this once I started to get into the trees a little. In no time I was back on dirt and continued on. The trail was easy on the knees (I probably need surgery on one of them) coming down and I didn't really start to feel it until I headed into the forest after passing the second meadow on the ridge. It was here that I started to consciously ration my water as I was feeling a little dehydrated and slightly lethargic. I took the side trail around Bald Mountain again and noticed for the first time on the hike that the rhododendrons were about to pop. I finally reached the car at 6:30pm.
This was one of my most memorable hikes due to the weather, views, and escape it provided. And it was the longest I've done. I can't wait to get my camping equipment and my camera back so that I can camp a night or two. I also want to take the official trail past the ponds and spend some time behind the lens.