Runventure Time @ Mt Hood Paradise Park - Timberline (not Portland)

Distance: 13+ mile trail run
Gain: 2800 feet (approx.)
Start: Timberline Lodge
Drivetime from PDX: Approx. 2 hr. (Hwy 26 east to Mt Hood & Timberline Lodge)
Parking Fee: none at Timberline Lodge
Restrooms: On site.
After: Lodge, Gov't Camp, or Sandy Area

Join us on Sunday, Aug 10th @ 10am, for the Paradise Park run on the PCT near Timberline lodge. This time of year will be hot, but there should be lots of wildflowers to gaze along the way. It's about a 1.5-2 hour drive from Portland, so carpool if you can.

The run starts at the Timberline Lodge, heads up sharply to the Pacific Crest Trail and crosses several viewpoints before dropping into Zig Zag Canyon. Then you climb up again and meet the Paradise Park Trail which ends up in a gorgeous flower filled valley. Eventually you will return to the PCT, where you will take that all the way back to the start.

This will be on Mt Hood, so conditions can change, even during the run. Please come prepared for changing conditions, from very hot, to a potential storm.

Bring snacks or a sandwich to eat at Paradise Park, as the plan is to stop there for a bit and rest before heading back, if the weather is cooperative.

Afterwards, we can eat the the lodge, or head to a place in Sandy or Government Camp to relax a bit before heading home.

If sunny, plan on sunscreen and water. It can get pretty windy as well, so an added layer to block the morning breeze could be helpful.

Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3380433123439143228

This is a 4 donut run (Go-nuts with Do-nuts!)
Donuts Guide (or equivalent caloric intake allowance given calories burned):
🍩 - Leif Eriksonish (flat-ish, very little elevation gain)
🍩🍩 - Most NWTR Forest Park runs (5-7 miles, 500-1000 ft ups)...little experience necessary
🍩🍩🍩 - Easier technical Gorge/Mtns (7-12 miles, 1000-2500 ft ups)...a bit more experience may be necessary
🍩🍩🍩🍩 - More technical, longer, steeper (12-20 miles, 2500-5000 ft ups)...seasoned trail runner, with much more experience in the mtns
🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩 - Most difficult and technical (20+ miles, 5000+ ft ups)...marathon, ultra-runners only

Hosted by: Dionne
Northwest Trail Runners