Backpack Trip to Cairn Basin, Mt. Hood, Oregon

We backpacked to Cairn Basin to spend a couple nights on Mt. Hood – weather was great (probably the warmest we have ever backpacked), clear skies, beautiful wildflowers, few people, and great views.

We started at the Top Spur Trailhead, skirted around Bald Mountain for a very little bit, and then pretty much were on the Timberline Trail to Cairn Basin.

 We started hiking in the forest...

....and eventually had views of Mt. Hood.

We left the views of Mt. Hood (but not for long) and enjoyed some great hiking through wildflowers – lots of bear grass and other wildflowers (that did not photograph well with just our phone cameras).

We eventually stopped at a meadow for a bite to eat. It should be noted that until our Switzerland hiking trip last year, lunch consisted of granola bars, nuts, dried fruit and the like.  Now we bring “provisions” – hard cheese and sausage for lunch! Yum!!

The trail continued through wild more wildflowers……..

With views of Mt. Hood reappearing………

As well as other mountains in the distance – these are Mt. Adams (left) and Mt. Rainier (right)

We eventually came upon a bit of a glacier-melt crossing.

Then to a very old burn that opened to a beautiful meadow of wildflowers.....

And more views of Mt. Hood.

About 3 ½ hours later, we arrived at Cairn Basin – it was only a bit more than four miles and 1,800 ft elevation change - but we stopped a lot for photos, to let people pass, snacks, etc..... After checking out the Cairn Basin Shelter, we found a campsite and started to off-load our gear.

First thing – set-up our clothesline! Remember that stream crossing? Brad (with his long legs) is much better at water crossings – Suzanne’s one foot slipped, then the other, so basically she ended up walking in the water to the other side and had very wet boots and socks for the effort!

We set-up the tent and wandered around…….

There were still great views of Mt. Hood…………..

We went looking for a water source…..

Got some cat holes ready……….

Wandered around meeting people (at socially acceptable distances, of course!) and meandered around the area.

Eventually we had dinner (freeze dried food and Twix candy) and called it a night.

The next day – after about a two (or was it three?) hour leisurely morning, we decided to hike up to McNeil Point and Cathedral Ridge Viewpoint. Again, the trail was bordered by lots of wildflowers

And more views of Mt. Hood

Although the trail was mostly dirt (like yesterday) we did have to walk over a bit of rock and snow.

It is so windy (not the day we hiked, however) on McNeil Point, that to camp, people have to build wind barriers.

This is the McNeil Point Shelter. Like the Cairn Basin Shelter, there is a small fireplace inside. 

We continued toward Cathedral Ridge Viewpoint….

Which is just on the other side of this big-ass rock with more views of Mt. Hood. (But is – yet another – picture of Mt Hood needed at this point?)

We were back at the campsite a few hours later (4 miles round trip, 2400 ft elevation change) and pretty much (well, after lunch) hung around watching people cross a pretty big glacier melt runoff area. There were very few places to cross without getting wet, so it was interesting to watch (and let's be honest, criticize) people’s techniques. Before we knew it, a couple hours had passed!

Along with the great weather, clear skies, great views, etc…. there were also biting flies and mosquitoes - the most we have ever experienced. For the first time ever, we donned our bug nets – quite the look!

(Side note - even with bug repellent, Suzanne had about 40 bites, Brad had two bites.)

The rest of the day was pretty much the same as the previous day – dinner, water purifying, looking at Mt. Hood…..

We woke a bit earlier on Day 3, and after breakfast, broke-down camp, and headed back to the trailhead, taking about one hour less to hike out than to hike in. (Did not stop for photos this time.)

 

One last look at our site…………….

And of Mt. Hood.....