LOLO PASS TO MCNEIL CUTOFF

WHERE:  From Portland take highway 26 east to Lolo Pass road on the left across from the Zig Zag Inn.  Follow the road to Lolo Pass where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses.

THE TRAIL:  The trail begins on the right side of the road and follows the Pacific Crest Trail for 2.6 miles over an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet through a forest of largely fir and rhodedondren.  At this point you will meet a junction with the Timberline trail as well as top spur trail which is just a short connection to another trailhead.  Follow the Timberline trail to the left which follows up a ridge for the better part of the next three miles.  This ridge offers several nice views of Mount Hood's steep west side.  The forest consists of subalpine fir along the ridge getting smaller and smaller as the ridges elevation gets higher.  Along the mountain slopes are a mixture of mountain hemlock, fir and an occasional Alaska Cedar.  Nearly three miles up the Timberline Trail you will encounter a very small path to the right which leads up to McNeil shelter which is at an elevation of about 6,400 feet.

It was really a nice hike with some fairly open forest near the bottom and dense sub-alpine forest full of dwarf trees above 5,000 feet.  The Gray Jays were brave near the ridge walking to within about 1-2 feet from me and just standing there.