Gnarl Ridge from Hood River Meadows

Gnarl Ridge sits near the highest point on the Timberline Trail, a dark breccia spine looking straight up at the Newton Clark Glacier and down into the Newton Creek gorge. Two approaches exist: from Cloud Cap on the north side, or this Hood River Meadows route from the south that keeps the drive on pavement. This 9.5-mile lollipop with a short off-trail scramble to the top of Lamberson Butte visits Elk Meadows on the way, crosses Newton Creek twice, and delivers one of the most dramatic close-up views of Mount Hood from any trail.

From the Elk Meadows Trailhead, the route climbs through mountain hemlock, silver fir, and noble fir with huckleberry understory, crosses two Nordic firebreaks, and drops to the handrailed Clark Creek footbridge to enter the Mt. Hood Wilderness. Fill out a permit at the self-serve box. The trail reaches Newton Creek at a typical plank crossing; early in the season or during warm weather, the planks vanish and hikers pick their way across the cold glacial stream. Seven switchbacks lead up to the Bluegrass-Gnarl Ridge Junction. The direct route turns left up Gnarl Ridge Trail #652; the longer variant visits Elk Meadows perimeter first.

Above treeline, Gnarl Ridge opens into a dark breccia landscape with views across to Barrett Spur, Mount Adams to the north, and the glacier hanging overhead. A short off-trail scramble onto Lamberson Butte's top pays off with the fullest view of the set. The second Newton Creek crossing is on the Timberline Trail where the grade traverses back toward the south. Stream crossings are the practical risk of this route — Newton Creek is a true glacial stream and rises fast in warm afternoons. Go early, be ready to turn around, and take the advice on glacial stream crossings seriously.