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Pacific Crest Trail out and back from Lolo Pass to the Ramona Falls Trail junction.


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Map Key

15.6

Miles

25.0

KM

83%

Runnable

4,336' 1,322 m

High

2,789' 850 m

Low

3,170' 966 m

Up

3,169' 966 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

31%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This route leaves Lolo Pass, a gateway to logging activities to the north, climbs a ridgeline to the skirt of Mt. Baldy and a junction with the Timberline Trail before descending steeply to the Muddy Fork and the Sandy River Valley. The return trip includes one major climb back up to the Mt. Baldy Ridge.

Need to Know

NW Forest Pass required at the trailhead.

Runner Notes

The valley floor is less treed and is considerably hotter than the more shaded sections of the trail.

Description

This entire route is on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). At the Lolo Pass Trailhead, go south away from the power lines. The trail climbs steeply to the Mt. Baldy ridge. Once atop the ridge, the trail affords good views of the logged valley to the north with Mt. Adams in the distance and a little later a close up view of Mt. Hood.

At the skirt of Mt. Baldy, the trail junctions first with the Top Spur Trail and later with the Timberline Trail (an around the mountain trail). At the Timberline Trail junction, the trail enters the Mt. Hood Wilderness. There is a permit station at the junction.

Continuing south (or right) at the Timberline Trail junction, the trail descends gradually for almost a mile before dropping steeply via switchbacks into the Sandy River Valley. At the valley floor, the trail crosses the Muddy Fork via two stacked, fallen trees. A rope has been fastened to aide crossing.

The trail then meanders across the valley floor past the first turn off (to the left) towards Ramona Falls and the second turn off (to the right) to the Ramona Falls parking lot and trailhead before gently ascending the valley to second Ramona Falls trail junction. This section affords peak-a-boo views of the top of Mt. Hood. The second Ramona Falls junction is the turn around spot for this run.

Flora & Fauna

Douglas fir. Chipmunks. Flickers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Chris Chiacchierini

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 3 votes

#3469

Overall
  4.3 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#93

in Oregon

#3,469

Overall
5 Views Last Month
3,271 Since Jul 11, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
33%
0%
67%
0%

Photos

Ramona Falls
Jan 5, 2017 near Governm…, OR
Ramona Falls Trail is one of the iconic destinations in Mt. Hood National Forest. Photo by Ethan Douglass.
Jan 3, 2017 near Governm…, OR
Some beautiful rock bluffs along the trail.
Oct 7, 2021 near Governm…, OR
Mt. Hood from the Mt. Baldy Ridge.
Jul 29, 2016 near Governm…, OR
A sturdy bridge makes this stream crossing easy on the Ramona Falls Loop, PCT section. Photo by Ethan Douglass.
Jan 3, 2017 near Governm…, OR
Ramona Falls
Jun 20, 2019 near Governm…, OR

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Jun 22, 2023
Kaylee M
did as an out and back to bald mountain for my hood views 6mi
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