Paradise Park Trail

I got out for a hike of Paradise Park Trail today. I need to get some exercise so I thought this trail would be a nice one for doing that. Also, I may not be able to one of my late season hikes on this trail this year as there is already snow at Paradise Park. I was squeezing this hike in between two weather fronts and had good sunshine most of the day. I just went up to Loop Trail this time to get my photo of Mt. Hood and did not venture any further. There were some good wind gust up there and I wanted to check out some other spots on my way back. I went down the Zig Zag Mt. Trail a ways to see what it was like. Also, bushwhack down to seep spring area and went up a ways on an abandon trail that had been blocked off. I did about 16 miles and 3000 ft. elevation gain in 6.5 hours.

The river was running high with all of the rain we have had. The trailhead – campground is right on the river.
Not many cars at this time of the morning.
The start of Paradise Park trail. On the trail before the sunrise.
The wilderness permit sign is about a 1/4 form the wilderness boundary.
Permit box was empty so season is over.
This hike is a gradual up hill through the woods.
From the view spot you can see Tom Dick Harry Mt.
The foot bridge is one of the land marks on the trail to know how you still have to go.
A little early morning fog but it cleared quickly.
This has become my long break spot. Normally get to it at 2 to 2 1/2 hours on the trail.
Hit the first trace of snow pretty high up.
Hood from the first mountain view spot. Wind was so strong it almost knock me over.
Sign at the intersection with the PCT/Timberline trail.
Looks like a good bear grass bloom year but the plants are ready for snow now.
Junction with Paradise Loop Trail. Sun but windy so as far as I went this time.
Track on the loop trail showed folks had made the trek from Timberline Lodge.
From the ZigZag Canyon view point looking south.
I decide to go down ZigZig Mt Trail a ways to see what it was like.
Start of Lady Creek
The trail started down steeply so that was enough exploring for me on this trail.
Lots of mushrooms and fungus out.
Big one on a tree.
I went off trail on the way back to check out a seepage spring.
the seepage area stretched about a hundred yard but all of the water disappeared into a few holes.
Afternoon view of Tom Dick Harry Mt. Just a mile to go back to the car.