Mt. Hood National Forest East Zig Zag Trail to Surveyor's Ridge Hike Hike 32
Length: 3.4 miles round trip Elevation Change: 900' gain Season: Late Spring thru Fall Difficulty: Moderate Permit: NW Forest Pass Required Features:
This is an outstanding little hike with immense rewards. The trail used to begin at
the Polallie Trail head, but mother nature took care of that idea some time ago. Now
you need to go a bit further upstream where Hwy 35 crosses the East Fork of the Hood
River, and you'll see the trail head sign off to the east side of the road. Not much
area to park, but normally adequate.
Because the trail head was relocated, the trail is new for about the first half mile.
You actually loose a bit of elevation at first, then after you pass where the old
trail begins, you start a very vigorous climb, thus the hike may be short but definitely
moderate in difficulty.
As you climb the ridge you will be offered a variety of environments. You'll be in
dense forest one minute, then in the open the next where you have a brief view of
the cliffs around you. But it is not until you reach the top that you receive your
true reward. When you summit, you'll be at an intersection of Trails #678 and #675.
You will follow neither of these to your destination. Instead follow the small path
referred to by a sign entitled "View". You will loose altitude now, as you descend
to the vantage point where you will have spectacular views of Mt Hood and Mt St Helens
to the north. Highway 35 is below you.
