Intro to Wilderness Ambassadors

Hike Leaders: Loren P.

Hike Distance: 4.7 miles

Elevation Gain: ~ 885 feet

Hike Intensity: Moderate

Hike Overview:

We will be hiking on Timberline Trail #600. This is a very popular trail that circumnavigates Mount Hood, covering a total of 42 miles. We will be beginning our hike at the Timberline Lodge Trailhead and hiking the 4.7 mile out-and-back section from Timberline Lodge to ZigZag Canyon and back.

Hiking information:

The round-trip distance from the Timberline Lodge Trailhead to ZigZag Canyon is 4.7 miles. This is considered a moderately challenging hike, gaining around 885 feet in elevation. This portion overlaps with the PCT. Dogs are welcome, but must be on leash.

What to expect:

We will gather as a group at the Timberline Lodge Trailhead and talk briefly about the Wilderness Ambassador program before heading onto the trail to answer questions and practice visitor engagement techniques.

You will be asked to electronically sign the e-waiver for this event and perform a self-assessment health screening within the 24 hours proceeding the event. The hike leader for this event will verify that you have done both of these requirements at the trailhead before the party begins. Your pre-event emails will contain further details and links for both of these requirements.

You should expect to participate in this hike for its entirety. For safety reasons, please do not arrive late or expect to be able to leave early.

What to bring:

• Plenty of water
• Lunch + snacks
• Sunscreen/insect repellant
• Any medication you may need
• A pack to carry it all in on the trail
• Need gear? TKO has clothes, boots, camping gear, and more available for loan. Reach out to volunteers@trailkeepersoforegon.org to let us know how we can help!

What to wear:

• Comfortable shoes – Please wear something sturdy that will protect your toes from sharp rocks and give good traction on steep trails such as a hiking boot or trail runners.
• Layered clothing that can be removed or put on to meet rapidly changing weather conditions.
• Rain gear as appropriate for the weather

Directions:

Click here for Google Maps directions to the Timberline Lodge Trailhead.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: TKO recognizes that the trails we work on travel through the traditional lands of many Indigenous tribes and communities. In every corner of what we now call Oregon, these people were forced to cede their land, their home, to the US government. We are privileged to be here today and we express gratitude to these tribes and their descendants for being the original and continuing stewards of these spaces.

ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: TKO seeks to make our events inclusive of people of all backgrounds and abilities. If you would like to discuss potential accommodations to allow for your participation in this event, please click here to complete a short Google survey. TKO staff will then contact you to discuss options. Please note: available accommodations will vary by event and typically need to be requested a minimum of two weeks in advance. If you have any questions, please contact TKO Stewardship Manager Lindsay McIntosh-Tolle at lindsay.mcintosh@trailkeepersoforegon.org.

EQUITY & INCLUSION: TKO seeks to make Oregon’s trails a place where people can go to connect with nature & one another. Not everyone feels safe or welcome in the outdoors due to issues like racism, bias, and hate. We commit to being part of the solution to this problem and to enact change. Conduct, speech, or expressions that target any individual or group will not be tolerated by TKO, regardless of whether they are based on age, citizenship, disability, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, geographic origin, language, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status.

PERSONAL SAFETY: Your physical and emotional safety is our number one priority. If a person’s actions or comments make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you may: interrupt directly, tell a crew leader, and/or inform TKO staff via the post-event survey.

While TKO no longer requires masking/vaccination for its events, we do support those who feel masking is necessary for their own safety. We ask participants to respect the health of folks who wear masks by distancing or wearing a mask while in close proximity.