WHERE:  From Portland follow highway 26 to Lolo pass Road (becomes FSR road # 18), in Zig Zag, where you will take a left.  Follow to FSR 16 to 1640 to trailhead at the end of the road.

THE TRAIL:  This trail  starts at about 4500 feet going up past 5700 feet where it meets the Timberline trail.  Berries are abundant here but you generally won't see them ripe until mid to late August through September.  A good short loop is about 11 miles total and runs 2.5 miles from the trailhead to The Timberline trail than loops around the Carin Basin.  Wildflowers bloom in abundance especially at Eden Park which consists of several beautiful wildflower displays near the open areas where the creeks flow.  Due to the elevation and the abundant rain and snowfall the creeks become rivers during parts of the winter creating many open areas where trees don't have an opportunity to grow.  The upper Carin Basin (trail topping out at just above 5900 feet) also has several sections of wildflowers, avalanche chutes and snow lasting through August in some of the creek paths.  There are also several nice close-up views of Mt. Hoods North and West face.  The trail also stays just on west side of Barret spur which is the south crest of Mt. Hood which is often considered a barrier between Oregon's western climate and its eastern climate.  In fact you could see the clouds disappear as they approached the ridge.