Pinnacle Ridge Trailhead
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Latitude: 45.4463
- Longitude: -121.6847
- Maps: Portland Hikers Maps Google Earth
- Elevation: 3650 feet
- Driving time from Portland: 2 hours
Hikes starting here
- Elk Cove from Pinnacle Ridge Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
Driving Directions
The Pinnacle Ridge Trailhead is located on an overgrown logging spur, a couple of miles above Laurance Lake. From here, the little-used Pinnacle Ridge Trail climbs three miles to the Timberline Trail. There is no water or restroom at this trailhead.
Follow Highway 35 from either Government Camp or Hood River to the tiny town of Parkdale, the terminus of the Mount Hood Railway. Turn south on Clear Creek Road, adjacent to the railroad and town park, and follow this exceptionally scenic drive through pear and apple orchards for 2.8 miles to Laurance Lake Road. Turn right, and immediately pass a picture-postcard view of Mount Hood rising over a sylvan pasture. Stay on this road for 4.2 twisting miles to Laurance Lake Campground. Turn left here on gravel Road 2840, passing the Elk Cove Trailhead spur on the the right after one mile, then steadily climbing through overgrown clearcuts for another 1.8 miles to the trailhead.
The portion of 2840 beyond the Elk Cove Trailhead has several larger water bars that can be a rough ride for smaller vehicles, but are passable. The trailhead appears where a sign is posted on the upper shoulder of the road. Hopefully, the Forest Service will someday bypass this miserable section of road by extending the Pinnacle Ridge Trail down to the more easily reached Elk Cove Trailhead.
Page Contributors
- Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)