Cool Creek Trail is one of the steepest trails around Mt. Hood. The first two miles are noted for climbing a 1000 ft. per mile. It is mostly a walk in the woods with a few view points but it is a good one to see how your conditioning is coming along. The reward is the Devil Peak Lookout at the top. One of the last historic fire lookouts still around and open to the public.
By the numbers: 7 3/4 miles with a little over 3000 ft. elevation gain and on the trail for 6 hours.
Not to much parking available
No Name on the trail but this is it
Starts out steep and rough
The trail stay steep but not as rough
About 1/2 in you get a view of Hunchback Ridge
First flat spot so far
Lot of young trees
Trail improves and continues to climb
I am glad there are switch back on the trail
About a mile in a nice opening with views
Mt. Hood was covered by smoke again
Red Huckleberry
Trail gets into older stands of trees
Only water source on the trail
One of several spot you pick your way through
I love this large rhododendron grove
The rhodies thins and the vegetation changes
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Rocky clearing along the trail
A little off trail spot with a smoky view of Mt. Hood