Mt. Hood National Forest Vista Ridge to Wyeast Basin and Barrett Spur Hike Hike 23
Length: 9 miles round trip Elevation Change: 3250' gain Season: Late Spring thru Fall Difficulty: Difficult - Dangerous Permit: NW Forest Pass Required Features: This hike begins at the Vista Ridge trail head. The first 2.5 miles
of the hike are mostly in dense forested areas. The trail is in excellent condition and
follows Vista Ridge to the beautiful Wy'east Basin. You will intersect Trail #600H which
leads to Eden Park. Continue straight ahead where you leave the forested areas and are
treated to incredible vistas and seasonal floral displays. When you intersect Trail #600,
make the sharp right turn and follow this trail to the top of the exposed ridge.
From there the hiker must scramble up Vista Ridge by following the path left by other hikers.
The last mile and a half of this hike is very steep and can be dangerous during certain
times of the year, so extreme caution is urged. The rewards of this hike are incredible.
During the summer months, Wy'east Basin is a gorgeous flower garden and the climb up Barrett
Spur is lined with all manner of floral displays. The inclusion of this hike
in my website is not an attempt to get hikers to climb Barrett Spur, but instead an
attempt to provide the hiker with the necessary information to make the climb
successful and without danger. The last half mile as one ascends Barrett Spur
the rocks are very unstable and the cliffs can be dangerous.
When you descend Barrett Spur and begin the hike back down keep to the right and follow
the user trail to Dollar Lake. After the lake you will quickly connect with Trail #600.
Follow the Timberline Trail (#600) back to Trail #626 which you used to reach Wy'east Basin.
Turn right onto Trail #626 and follow it back to the Vista Ridge Trail head.
